Mayor Rahm Emanuel today broke ground on a new 95th Street Terminal for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), one of the largest station projects in CTA history. The $240 million reconstruction project will replace the current facility, built in 1969, creating a signature transit hub that will serve CTA’s busiest rail line and 1,000 buses each weekday, and become an anchor for economic opportunity on Chicago’s South Side.

"Just one year after we rebuilt the entire Red Line south, we are continuing to upgrade transit for residents and neighborhoods on the South Side,” said Mayor Emanuel. “From new technology to new terminals, we are building the 21st century transit system to serve every neighborhood in our 21st century city.”

The 95th Street station features a train terminal and an integrated bus terminal, serving about 20,000 customers on an average weekday. The station is one of CTA’s busiest, with 24-hour Red Line service and more than 1,000 CTA and Pace bus trips on a typical weekday. The buses connect roughly 300,000 people who live within walking distance of the CTA bus routes serving the 95th/Dan Ryan Terminal to the CTA rail network.

“Rebuilding the Red Line South was one of the top priorities in my capital construction program because it would revolutionize transportation on the south side of Chicago,” Governor Quinn said. “This new station at 95th street will build on that progress by creating even more jobs and help to ensure a safe, modern and efficient transit system for people throughout Chicago and the region.”

“Today, we break ground on what will become the crown jewel of this new Red Line – the 95th Street station. As one of the CTA’s busiest terminals, this station is critical to the thousands of South Side residents who use it to get to work and travel throughout the city every day. Among other improvements, this project will relieve congestion for riders, widen customer waiting areas, and provide pickup and drop-off space for disabled pedestrian riders. Once complete, commuters will have a safe and modern station for decades to come,” said Senator Durbin said. “This work wouldn’t have been possible without the determination and hard work of Mayor Emanuel or the federal investment made from the TIGER grant program. The competition for a $20 million TIGER grant was fierce and I am proud we were able to bring those federal dollars home to the South Side of Chicago. I will continue to fight for opportunities to improve Chicago’s mass transit infrastructure as we work to make it the most modern, safe and efficient system in the country.”

The project, expected to generate more than 700 construction jobs, is the latest large-scale CTA improvement under Mayor Emanuel. It follows last year’s on-time, on-budget reconstruction of the Red Line South between downtown and 95th Street, which has resulted in smoother, faster and more reliable rides for customers. Since taking office in May 2011, the Mayor has begun, completed or announced more than $5 billion in projects to rebuild and modernize the CTA.

“When the city, state and federal levels work together to improve the lives of everyday citizens we see results such as this,” said Congressman Bobby Rush. “The 95th Street Terminal will relieve congestion, make for faster commutes and improve transportation routes for hundreds of Chicagoans. More importantly, this project will create jobs and expand the quality of life for this community.”

“Expanding and overhauling the 95th Street Terminal will provide quicker and more convenient service for South Side passengers,” Rep. Kelly said. “I’d like to thank Mayor Emanuel for undertaking this project, which will pave the way for extending the Red Line to the Roseland and Pullman neighborhoods, giving residents much-improved access to downtown.”

“The 95th Street Terminal is one of the busiest access points to public transportation in the Chicago Metropolitan areas and its’ renovation is a great example of Federal, State and Local units of government working together to benefit the people,” said Congressman Danny Davis.

The new station design features contemporary architecture including glass and steel canopies and light-filled, glass-enclosed structures with expanded space and more shelter for customers. The station will have buildings both north and south of 95th Street, connected by an enclosed walkway over 95th Street, increasing safety for the thousands of adults and children who move through the station each day, and will include nearly three times the amount of retail concession space as the current station.

The new station will create a better, safer and more accessible pedestrian environment, with wider sidewalks and larger waiting areas for increased passenger comfort. Wider bus lanes and increased spacing between bus bays will reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

The project will also incorporate artworks from internationally recognized, Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates, and involve a program incorporating job creation, skills training and significant community engagement by the artist. Last year Gates held a series of community meetings to engage and promote dialogue among community residents, architects and designers about what kinds of artwork and community involvement might be possible for the project.

Construction is expected to continue into 2017. The station will remain open throughout the project.

Funding is provided through a variety of federal, state and local sources, including a Federal TIGER grant, TIFIA loan, Federal Bus Livability grant, Federal Formula funds, State of Illinois Jobs Now funds, and CTA bonds.

More information is available at www.transitchicago.com/95thTerminal

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