Just a few weeks ago, the federal government announced its decision to provide $1.973 billion of the anticipated $3.7 billion cost for the CTA Red Line extension project, igniting heated debate over the overall cost and efficiency of the plan. While CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. said the funding ensures the commencement of engineering work, critics argue that existing infrastructure already in place could provide a more cost-effective solution to the demands of Chicago's Far South Side residents.
Although the Red Line extension will bring a 5.6-mile expansion and four new stations to the Far South Side, proponents of a more financially conscious approach point to the fact that there are already five commuter rail lines in the area, including two that pass directly by a proposed station location at Altgeld Gardens, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The question arises: could optimizing existing transit options save taxpayers billions of dollars, while still addressing the needs of residents?
As transportation consultant Ed Zotti wrote in a November 2022 piece for Crain's Chicago Business, the Red Line extension may not produce promised benefits, despite its high cost per ride. Zotti urged the consideration of pre-existing rail lines as a less expensive solution that would substantially improve service for Far South Side residents. Unfortunately, despite presenting the compelling case, Zotti's critical stance remains largely unechoed by experts in the field, who appear hesitant to challenge a project with such political momentum.
However, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle seems to demonstrate a more forward-thinking approach, using motor fuel tax money to fund her "Fair Transit South Cook [County]" initiative, which unites Metra and Pace, the suburban bus service, to offer reduced fares and more frequent service. Though the program aims to simplify transfers, it has not yet met this goal, even amidst the pandemic.
The reluctance to consider alternate solutions may be rooted in the complexities of Chicago's transit systems. While the CTA falls under the mayor's jurisdiction, Metra is primarily accountable to the suburbs. Both organizations continue to suffer from a drop in ridership since the pre-pandemic era, resulting in dwindling revenue from fare collection. In the face of a looming $730 million deficit by 2026, once federal COVID relief funds expire, the city must make tough decisions about how to address the transportation crisis. Unfortunately, the current political climate seems to favor raising sales and motor fuel taxes to support transit, rather than considering alternative, potentially cost-saving measures like consolidating transit agencies or reconsidering ambitious projects like the Red Line extension.
In spite of mounting concerns and criticism, the Red Line extension project continues to advance, securing support from mayor Brandon Johnson and other political leaders. The project is anticipated to bring over 25,000 jobs to Cook County in the coming years, garnering praise from enthusiastic proponents who believe the extension will vastly improve the lives of the Far South Side's residents. As the debate over the Red Line extension's feasibility and cost-effectiveness rages on, it remains to be seen if the political will exists to halt the project in its tracks and reassess more budget-conscious alternatives.
