U.S. Delivers $20 Million to Fix CTA Blue Line, Expand Chicago Bike Share Program
The CTA Blue Line is getting a $16 million upgrade.
(Chicago, IL) – Mayor Rahm Emanuel yesterday joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Governor Pat Quinn at the Logan Square L stop to announce that Chicago is receiving $20 million in federal funding to help rehabilitate a portion of the CTA Blue Line and to expand the Chicago Bike Sharing Program that is launching next year.
“I want to thank Secretary LaHood, Senator Durbin, Representative Luis Gutierrez and the Illinois delegation for their support,” said Emanuel. “We’re providing more stations, more service and more safety across the City, and this … grant will help ensure we provide a solid foundation for the city’s future.”
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), which will administer the Chicago Bike Share Program, are sharing the $20 million grant, with the CTA receiving $16 million and CDOT $4 million.
The CTA will use the funding to eliminate the slow zone between the Logan Square L stop and the California L stop on the Blue Line to allow trains to move at 55 MPH instead of the current 25 MPH, as well as help reduce maintenance and operating costs.
The Chicago bike share program will be partially funded by this grant. Chicago expects to offer 3,000 bikes at 300 bike stations in June 2012, and plans to expand the program to 4,000 bikes and 400 stations by 2013.
Logan Square is a candidate to receive a bike sharing station in 2012.
