Chicago's Red Line Is Set For A Long-Awaited Extension

For visitors to Chicago who rely on the iconic Chicago "L" train, one of the Midwest's best public transit networks, for getting around, an extension on the Red Line adds new neighborhoods and parks to the map. For decades, the Red Line's southern leg has ended at the 95th/Dan Ryan station, about a 20-minute walk from Chicago State University. Other than the university, though, there isn't much around this end of the train line, being a mostly residential, low-density area. Now, after years of planning and anticipation, the extension will bring the "L" closer to some parks and landmarks that may be worth a day trip from downtown for city locals and visitors alike (just make sure you catch up on Chicago's unwritten rules for riding before visiting).

Talks of the extension go all the way back to the 1950s. In 1958, a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) plan proposed Red Line stops that went past 95th Street, but other priorities and funding shortages over the years stalled the extension from being developed. The CTA finally confirmed some official plans for expanding the Red Line in 2016. After years of meetings and reviews, the CTA showed concrete signs of the extension moving forward, with demolition work beginning in March 2025. According to the CTA, the extension will save riders up to 30 minutes in travel time between Chicago's central Loop and 130th Street, but Chicagoans still have a few more years to dream about the shorter commute, as the new service isn't expected to start running until 2030.

The main driver behind extending the Red Line is simply to better connect Chicago's southernmost neighborhoods to the inner city, fueling new jobs, business, and development, per the CTA. The CTA states that the Red Line is Chicago's busiest, and there is a real demand from locals for the additional stations. There are, however, some perks for visitors, too. Chicago's Far South Side may not have much of a reputation as a travel destination, but the added stops might make you consider a trip to one of the area's lesser-known outdoor gems.

If all goes according to plan, the new Red Line terminus will be near the Beaubien Woods, a 279-acre nature preserve made up of woodlands, prairie, and a lake. The preserve, open to the public from sunrise to sunset, offers an abundance of outdoor activities for a break from urban sightseeing. There's a boat launch, fishing pier, and canoe ramp.

Around Beaubien Woods (and the planned new Red Line station) is also where the African American Heritage Water Trail begins. The trail follows the Little Calumet River, which can be traced either independently for experienced paddlers or with one of the guided events sometimes offered by Openlands. Sites along the paddling route include former Underground Railroad corridors, historic bridges, and protected habitats with wetland wildlife. Afterwards, you could take the Red Line back into central Chicago to explore Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood, known as one of the best in America.