Decades after a former Chicago mayor pledged to extend transit to the city’s far South Side, the federal government is committing to the massive project just before President Joe Biden leaves office. Last week, his administration notified Congress that it would pledge $1.9 billion toward a more than $5.5 billion project to add four new elevated train stations. It’s the Chicago system’s largest expansion project in history. Officials want the grant to be completed before President-elect Donald Trump takes office over fears he might try to scale back transit. The hope is for the four new L stations to help revive a once-thriving business community hampered by manufacturing losses and a rise in crime.
