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6h ago

CTA Sues USDOT, FTA Over Freeze of $2.1 Billion for Red Line Extension and RPM

The agency argues federal officials unlawfully froze previously obligated transit grants.

A view of the White House at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
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Overview

  • The lawsuit filed Friday in the Northern District of Illinois seeks immediate restoration of funding for the Red Line Extension and Red & Purple Modernization projects.
  • The Trump administration paused the grants in October 2025, saying the review aimed to ensure funds were not flowing via race-based contracting.
  • The FTA had previously obligated nearly $2 billion for the Red Line Extension, part of a broader federal commitment the CTA expected to total about $3.1 billion for both projects.
  • CTA warns work will be forced to stop if the money is not promptly restored, even as officials say they remain committed to advancing both efforts.
  • Separately, the administration threatened to pull an additional $50 million over safety and security issues, a move USDOT this week tempered after CTA submitted a revised security plan.