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  "path": "/transportation/2026/04/24/red-line-extension-cta-groundbreaking-federal-funding-freeze-trump-brandon-johnson",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-24T22:39:52.293Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>The CTA broke ground on the Red Line extension's first planned station in a star-studded media event Friday featuring ex-Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen.</p><p>Mayor Brandon Johnson and a cast of elected officials praised the project, saying it corrects a historical injustice to the rapid-transit-deprived Far South Side.</p><p>But federal funding cut threat from President Donald Trump's administration hung over the kickoff of the massive $5.7 billion L extension from 95th Street to 130th Street. The ceremony was held at 115th Street and Michigan Avenue, where one of four new stations will be built along that route.</p><p>The CTA nearly halted preparatory construction last month after the U.S. Department of Transportation froze $2 billion in grants to the project while it claimed to examine CTA hiring practices.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-420000\" name=\"image-420000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f8bc875/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F17%2F2b%2F30508f0b4f828740fd27bdf1233d%2Fredline-060425-004.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/573a63d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F17%2F2b%2F30508f0b4f828740fd27bdf1233d%2Fredline-060425-004.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b5da6cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F17%2F2b%2F30508f0b4f828740fd27bdf1233d%2Fredline-060425-004.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen poses for a photo at a CTA event to officially break ground on a $5.7 billion Red Line Extension project, Friday, April 24, 2026, on the Far South Side.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b5da6cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F17%2F2b%2F30508f0b4f828740fd27bdf1233d%2Fredline-060425-004.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/db215aa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F17%2F2b%2F30508f0b4f828740fd27bdf1233d%2Fredline-060425-004.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b5da6cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F17%2F2b%2F30508f0b4f828740fd27bdf1233d%2Fredline-060425-004.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony to officially start construction on the Red Line Extension, a $5.7 billion project that would add four new stations and take that L line from its current endpoint at 95th Street to a new terminus at 130th.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>That money was <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2026/03/24/judge-cta-funding-red-line-extension\" target=\"_blank\" >unfrozen a month ago</a> after the CTA took the administration to court and a federal judge in Chicago intervened.</p><p>But that court order is temporary. The judge won't rule until June on whether to release the funding permanently. The CTA expects work on the project to continue until the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2025/04/08/cta-to-break-ground-on-red-line-extension-in-early-2026-prep-work-begins-in-far-south-side\" target=\"_blank\" >planned opening in 2030</a>.</p><p>Johnson sidestepped the question when a reporter asked if he believes all federal funding will be released.</p><p>\"Well, look, we can't predict the madness that's coming from the White House. What we can predict is our ability to fight back and win,\" Johnson said.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-240000\" name=\"image-240000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d346d7e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb3%2F63%2F72cf37224353b72bf2a484078115%2Fredline-060425-008-johnson.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/04cd448/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb3%2F63%2F72cf37224353b72bf2a484078115%2Fredline-060425-008-johnson.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/30e686c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb3%2F63%2F72cf37224353b72bf2a484078115%2Fredline-060425-008-johnson.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to press at a CTA event to officially break ground on a $5.7 billion Red Line Extension project, Friday, April 24, 2026, on the Far South Side.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/30e686c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb3%2F63%2F72cf37224353b72bf2a484078115%2Fredline-060425-008-johnson.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bed39e4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb3%2F63%2F72cf37224353b72bf2a484078115%2Fredline-060425-008-johnson.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/30e686c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb3%2F63%2F72cf37224353b72bf2a484078115%2Fredline-060425-008-johnson.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Mayor Brandon Johnson, speaking at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Red Line extension, vowed to take on the Trump administration to preserve the promised federal funding for the $5.7 billion project. </p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>In his prepared remarks to the crowd, Johnson said Trump is targeting Democratic cities for funding cuts and alluded to the administration freezing funds due to the CTA's diversity requirements in selecting contractors.</p><p>The project will “demonstrate what it means to fight back against the Trump administration … because somehow he believes that investing in Black is a criminal act,” Johnson says.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-de0000\" name=\"image-de0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/371bae8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/503x282+0+162/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F03%2F71%2Fdbe3500bd9cd0378ba26a5dd4e03%2Fred-line-extension-map.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0cf7322/2147483647/strip/true/crop/503x282+0+162/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F03%2F71%2Fdbe3500bd9cd0378ba26a5dd4e03%2Fred-line-extension-map.png 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/83b5561/2147483647/strip/true/crop/503x282+0+162/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F03%2F71%2Fdbe3500bd9cd0378ba26a5dd4e03%2Fred-line-extension-map.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Map of the CTA’s Red Line extension route.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/83b5561/2147483647/strip/true/crop/503x282+0+162/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F03%2F71%2Fdbe3500bd9cd0378ba26a5dd4e03%2Fred-line-extension-map.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/717dd99/2147483647/strip/true/crop/503x282+0+162/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F03%2F71%2Fdbe3500bd9cd0378ba26a5dd4e03%2Fred-line-extension-map.png 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/83b5561/2147483647/strip/true/crop/503x282+0+162/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F03%2F71%2Fdbe3500bd9cd0378ba26a5dd4e03%2Fred-line-extension-map.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>A map showing the route and stations for the Red Line extension.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Chicago Transit Authority</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>The Red Line extension includes four planned stations near 103rd, 111th, 115th and 130th streets.</p><p>The mega project will create more than 12,500 construction jobs. When completed, it will make 25,000 jobs more accessible to those living on the Far South Side, CTA's acting boss Nora Leerhsen said. The train line should reduce commuting time to downtown by half an hour, she said.</p><p>Pippen attended the groundbreaking ceremony but did not speak. Pippen is an investor in one of the extension's subcontractors, Structure Re-Right, according to a CTA spokesperson.</p><p>Officials in Chicago have been talking about extending the Red Line farther south for nearly 60 years. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500000\" name=\"image-500000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fcc9b7a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+103/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F57%2F86af69201d9e4fcbd595dea84d9c%2F95th-street-cta-opening-1969.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/25d8332/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+103/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F57%2F86af69201d9e4fcbd595dea84d9c%2F95th-street-cta-opening-1969.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/86837ad/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+103/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F57%2F86af69201d9e4fcbd595dea84d9c%2F95th-street-cta-opening-1969.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Commuters wait on the platform at 95th Street on Sept. 26, 1969, the day the station opened on what was then referred to as the Dan Ryan L. \" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/86837ad/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+103/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F57%2F86af69201d9e4fcbd595dea84d9c%2F95th-street-cta-opening-1969.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/81cef97/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+103/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F57%2F86af69201d9e4fcbd595dea84d9c%2F95th-street-cta-opening-1969.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/86837ad/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+103/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F57%2F86af69201d9e4fcbd595dea84d9c%2F95th-street-cta-opening-1969.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Commuters wait on the platform at 95th Street on Sept. 26, 1969, the day the station opened. Even then, politicians were promising that the line would be extended farther south. </p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Sun-Times file</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>One of former CTA President Dorval Carter Jr.'s final acts before resigning last year was securing the $2 billion in federal funding for the project. In the weeks before Trump took back the White House, he held a signing ceremony for a legal document <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2025/01/10/cta-red-line-extension-federal-grant\" target=\"_blank\" >obligating the federal government</a> to dispensing the funds.</p><p>But that didn't stop the U.S. Department of Transportation from <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump/2025/10/03/donald-trump-pause-funding-chicago-infrastructure-projects-red-line-extension\" target=\"_blank\" >freezing the money anyway</a> last October. The White House said it was <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump/2025/10/03/donald-trump-pause-funding-chicago-infrastructure-projects-red-line-extension\" target=\"_blank\" >specifically targeting the Red Line extension</a> “to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.”</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-d30000\" name=\"image-d30000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3bb7ca5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4364x2449+0+230/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F7e%2F75ad14754fd0b755d06e2787b757%2Fredline-060425-014.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1f62635/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4364x2449+0+230/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F7e%2F75ad14754fd0b755d06e2787b757%2Fredline-060425-014.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b6e1fab/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4364x2449+0+230/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F7e%2F75ad14754fd0b755d06e2787b757%2Fredline-060425-014.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Construction workers attending the official groundbreaking for the Red Line extension, held at the site of the planned station at Michigan Avenue and 115th Street. The event was held on Friday, April 24, 2026.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b6e1fab/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4364x2449+0+230/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F7e%2F75ad14754fd0b755d06e2787b757%2Fredline-060425-014.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ba5fe3d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4364x2449+0+230/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F7e%2F75ad14754fd0b755d06e2787b757%2Fredline-060425-014.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b6e1fab/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4364x2449+0+230/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F7e%2F75ad14754fd0b755d06e2787b757%2Fredline-060425-014.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Construction workers attending Friday’s official groundbreaking for the Red Line extension, held at the site of the planned station at Michigan Avenue and 115th Street. </p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p>",
  "title": "CTA breaks ground on Red Line extension's first new station as federal funding threat remains unresolved",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-24T22:39:52.293Z"
}