Two construction firms share $2.8bn Chicago metro Red Line extension

A digital render of one of the new stations on Chicago metro's Red Line extension A digital render of one of the new stations on Chicago metro’s Red Line extension (Image: Vinci)

A consortium of construction companies made up of Chicago-based Walsh Construction Company (60%) and Vinci Construction Grands Projets (40%) have won a $2.78 billion contract to extend Chicago’s Red Line.

The contract covers the design and construction of 9km (5.6 miles) of line, including 6.4km (4 miles) of elevated guideway. The work also involves the construction of four new stations, which will have full access for people of reduced mobility.

Aimed at servicing Chicago’s disadvantaged Far South Side communities, the project will allocate 35% of the construction work hours to people from economically disadvantaged areas of the city.

Meanwhile, 15% of the construction hours will be worked by apprentices and trainees and a procurement goal of the project is for 22% of contracts to be awarded to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.

Vinci added that design optimisations will reduce the amount of concrete used in the infrastructure by 14%, with 50% of the all the concrete being used to be low carbon.

Preparatory works are set to start next year, with the line extension scheduled to enter service in 2030.

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