Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CTA Board Chairman Terry Peterson and CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. today joined other dignitaries to celebrate the opening of the new North Terminal at the 95th/Dan Ryan Station, marking the substantial completion of a $280 million project that provides Chicago’s South Side with a state-of-the-art transit facility and a boost to the local economy through the creation of more than 4,600 jobs.

The new North Terminal is the second of two spacious, modern bus and rail facilities that replace the original 50-year-old terminal—to create a new landmark station for Chicago’s Far South Side. A new pedestrian bridge that spans 95th Street now connects the two terminals to provide riders a safe pathway when connecting between bus and rail services. The new station, which is one of CTA’s busiest facilities, provides 24-hour Red Line service for more than 20,000 daily commuters, is now better equipped to serve riders today and for generations to come.

“This a critical milestone in the largest construction project in CTA’s history, one that marks a transformative investment in Chicago’s South Side,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This 95th/Dan Ryan North Terminal and pedestrian bridge add critical components to a transit showcase that continues to create jobs and opportunities, and drives economic development in this community.”

This project is the latest in more than $8 billion of transit investments made by Mayor Emanuel and CTA since 2011, including a number of station and track projects on the Red Line.

“Thanks to the support of Mayor Emanuel and the city, CTA is proud to have created another architecturally stunning and economically important investment for Chicago’s South Side, while significantly enhancing the transit experience for CTA riders,” said CTA President Dorval Carter. “The Red Line and the bus routes served by this transit hub will provide customers with expanded passenger facilities, new amenities, and safer passenger access to buses and trains.”

Features of the North Terminal include:

• A bright and airy mezzanine with a skylight and clerestory, replacing a cramped, aging facility built in 1969
• New service and directional signage throughout
• Safer pedestrian walkways to bus pickup areas and the rail terminal
• More turnstiles and Ventra vending machines for customer convenience
• Longer train platform to reduce overcrowding and increase passenger safety
• Additional bike racks, CTA Transit Tracker displays and high-definition cameras throughout
  

“The upgrade to the 95th Street Bus and Red Line Terminal is critical to thousands of South Side residents,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said. “I am proud to have helped secure federal funding for this project and will continue to advocate for federal investments in public transit projects. I thank the Mayor for his leadership in making this project a reality.”

“Improving Chicago’s public transportation system is vital to growing the local economy and supporting a stronger workforce,” U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said. “I’m glad Chicagoans living on the South Side will soon be able to utilize the new North Terminal, and I’m excited to see this project move toward completion. I’ll continue to support important projects like this and the proposed Red Line extension project for Chicago’s Far South Side.”

“I am proud to see that hard work, leadership, and dedication continues to pay off for the 1st Congressional District of Illinois. This ambitious and innovative endeavor was made possible in part by federal dollars, which continue to play a significant role in modernizing the South Side of Chicago. I am certain that my constituents will be excited about experiencing a more comfortable, modern, and convenient commute. The new North Terminal represents the collaborative spirit of local, state, and federal officials that is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Chicago,” U.S. Congressman Bobby L. Rush said.

Both terminals will feature two new, unique public art displays by internationally recognized artist and Chicago native Theaster Gates. The South Terminal will display a pair of large tapestries made from colorful strips of decommissioned fire hoses that are sewn together. The North Terminal will include a first-of-its-kind radio station and DJ booth that will broadcast over the 95th Street station’s PA system. The art is expected to be unveiled later this year, upon completion of the entire station project work.

The station is a critical piece of the CTA’s Red Line, connecting Far South Side communities to job centers throughout the region and serves as a transit gateway for South Side and suburbs. More than 1,000 CTA and Pace connecting bus trips are made at the 95th location on a typical weekday.

Red Line South Side transit investment since 2011

The completion of the 95th/Dan Ryan South Terminal comes after the CTA completely rebuilt the Red Line South branch in 2013. That $425 million project reconstructed the entire 10-mile track structure between the Cermak/Chinatown and 95th/Dan Ryan stations. It also included the rehabilitation eight Red Line stations between Cermak/Chinatown and 87thStreet, including adding new elevators to three stations to make the rail branch fully accessible to customers with disabilities.

The CTA also continues to move ahead with planning work for a proposed extension of the Red Line from the 95th Street Terminal to 130th Street. Earlier this year, the CTA announced it had selected a final proposed alignment in which to locate the rail extension, which will include four new rail stations.

For more information about the 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project, visit: transitchicago.com/95thTerminal.

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