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Illinois

10 buyers · 44 tenders · checked 2026-10-03

Ten public bodies shape rail procurement; CTA spending $6.75bn over five years; Red Line Extension broke ground April 24, 2026.

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2Metro systems operating

10Buyers tracked

44Tenders tracked

3Cities tracked

Live pipeline: $6.75bn CTA 2026-2030 capital plan, $515.3m Metra 2026 capital programme, $5.8bn CREATE programme, $696m of new federal grants to Amtrak's Chicago hub; 44 tracked procurements, 5 of them open for bids on 13 September 2026
Technology areas: Rolling-stock hardware, Signalling & train control, Track & civil, Electrification, Predictive maintenance, Digital operations, Cybersecurity, AI inspection

Key figures

Illinois railroad route-miles7,296 route-milesIllinois railroad route-miles, the second largest rail system of any state after Texas (10,251 route-miles); more than 60 railroad companies operate in and through Illinois, the highest in the nation

1 source · primary

● Illinois Commerce Commission · Rail Safety Program — Illinois Rail Facts (2026), updated 03/26 (published 2026-03 · checked 2026-09-13)

Public highway-rail crossings i…10,101 public highway-rail crossingsPublic highway-rail crossings in Illinois — 7,483 at grade and 2,618 grade separated; 4,178 grade crossings have flashing lights and gates, 1,260 flashing lights only, 2,015 reflectorised crossbucks and 30 no markings

2 sources · all primary

● Illinois Commerce Commission · Rail Safety Program — Illinois Rail Facts (2026), updated 03/26 (published 2026-03 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Illinois Commerce Commission · Crossing Safety Improvement Program (Grade Crossing Protection Fund) (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)

Share of national rail traffic…about 25% of US freight trains and 50% of intermodal trainsShare of national rail traffic passing through metropolitan Chicago — roughly 500 freight and 800 passenger and commuter trains a day; about 480 million tons of freight move on Illinois rail each year in 12.7 million carloads

2 sources · all primary

● Illinois Commerce Commission · Rail Safety Program — Illinois Rail Facts (2026), updated 03/26 (published 2026-03 · checked 2026-09-13)
● CREATE Program · About CREATE — programme overview ($5.8bn, 70 projects) (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)

CTA rail system8 rail lines, 146 stations, 224 miles of trackCTA rail system, with 1,564 rail cars and over 60 million rail miles operated; 127.5 million rail trips in 2024 out of 309.2 million total trips, weekday average 953,787

1 source · primary

● Chicago Transit Authority · FY2026 Budget Book (President's 2026 Budget Recommendations; FY2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program) (published 2025-10 · checked 2026-09-13)

CTA Capital Improvement Program…$6.75 billionCTA Capital Improvement Program FY2026-2030: $3.4bn federal (of which $2.26bn formula), $844.3m state Motor Fuel Tax PayGo, about $1.5bn CTA bond proceeds, $931.9m Transit TIF and $35.1m RTA Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement funds

2 sources · all primary

● Chicago Transit Authority · FY2026 Budget Book (President's 2026 Budget Recommendations; FY2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program) (published 2025-10 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Transit Board Approves 2026 CTA Budget (published 2025-11-12 · checked 2026-09-13)

CTA 2026 operating budget$2.23 billionCTA 2026 operating budget, approved 12 November 2025 — $75m or 3.2% above 2025, with no fare increases, service cuts or layoffs after the state transit funding bill passed

1 source · primary

● Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Transit Board Approves 2026 CTA Budget (published 2025-11-12 · checked 2026-09-13)

Metra 2026 budgets approved 13…$1.2 billion operating, $515.3 million capitalMetra 2026 budgets approved 13 November 2025: capital splits $268.2m rolling stock, $68.5m bridges/tracks/structures, $59.1m signals/electrical/communications, $59.9m stations and parking, $27.3m facilities and equipment, $32.3m support; funded by $426.7m federal, $88.6m Illinois PAYGO and $100,000 of RTA Access to Transit

2 sources · all primary

● Metra · Metra OKs 2026 budget of $1.2 billion (published 2025-11-13 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Metra · Capital Program — 2026 Capital Program Summary (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)

Metra network; more than half t…11 lines, 243 stations, 446 bridgesMetra network; more than half the bridges on Metra-owned lines are over a century old and a 20-year plan to replace or rehabilitate 210 of them needs about $3bn

1 source · primary

● Metra · Metra unveils 2026 construction program (published 2026-04-08 · checked 2026-09-13)

CREATE Program investment along…$5.8 billion across 70 projectsCREATE Program investment along four rail corridors in the Chicago region since 2003, a partnership of IDOT, CDOT, Cook County, USDOT and the Association of American Railroads' members

2 sources · all primary

● CREATE Program · About CREATE — programme overview ($5.8bn, 70 projects) (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)
● CREATE Program · Our Partners (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)

Public Transportation Fund in t…$1.341 billionPublic Transportation Fund in the Illinois SFY2027 budget, a $750m increase, plus $23m for reduced fares and $11.5m for ADA paratransit, under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act (Public Act 104-457); the RTA board raised the regional sales tax 0.25% on 1 June 2026

1 source · primary

● Northern Illinois Transit Authority · How the NITA trailer bill and 2027 state budget will impact Chicagoland transit (published 2026-06-11 · checked 2026-09-13)

Federal Railroad Administration…$696.2 millionFederal Railroad Administration grants to Amtrak's Chicago hub announced 14 August 2026 — $659m for Midwest maintenance facilities modernisation and Chicago rail structure renewal, $37.2m for the South Branch Bridge over the Chicago River

1 source · primary

● Amtrak (media centre) · Amtrak Awarded Nearly $3B in USDOT Grants to Buy New Trains and Improve Service Nationwide (published 2026-08-14 · checked 2026-09-13)

CTA rail stations accessible to…110 of 146 stations (75%)CTA rail stations accessible to people who use mobility devices as of 7 August 2026; $740.8m secured for the All Stations Accessibility Program since 2018, target 100% by 2038

1 source · primary

● Chicago Transit Authority · CTA's Austin Green Line Station Reopened and Fully Accessible (published 2026-08-07 · checked 2026-09-13)

Buyers

Buyer	Type	Tenders	Contracts awarded
Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (Metra)	Transit authority	28	10
Chicago Transit Authority	Transit authority	12	3
Chicago Department of Transportation	State DOT	2	0
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning	Development authority	0	0
City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development	Development authority	0	0
Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways	State DOT	0	0
Illinois Commerce Commission	Regulator / standards	0	0
Illinois Department of Transportation	State DOT	0	0
Illinois High Speed Railway Commission	Other	0	0
Northern Illinois Transit Authority	Transit authority	0	0

Tenders

Tender	Buyer	Status	Value band	Next key date
Metra Richton Park station renovation design services	Metra	Open	$5–25m	Closes October 2026
CTA Red Line Extension 120th Street yard shop	CTA	Open	over $20m projected (CTA Buying Plan projection, not an award)	Closes October 2026
Metra Rock Island District Bridge 86 Auburn Park	Metra	Bids closed	$25–100m	Bids closed May 2026 · award expected
Metra Union Pacific North Line bridges Segment 1	Metra	Bids closed	$78.7m-$95.1m as read at the bid opening	Bids closed August 2026 · award expected
Metra timber railroad ties blanket agreement	Metra	Bids closed	$5–25m	Bids closed September 2026 · award expected
CTA system-wide elevator modernisation component replacement	CTA	Bids closed	over $20m projected (CTA Buying Plan projection, not an award)	Bids closed September 2026 · award expected
Metra Amerail Highliner II EMU fixed seats	Metra	Bids closed		Bids closed September 2026 · award expected
CTA 3200-Series railcar overhaul part kits	CTA	Awarded	$100–500m
Metra award AECOM Technical Services	Metra	Awarded	$25–100m	Awarded March 2025
Metra award Wabtec Railway Electronics	Metra	Awarded	$25–100m	Awarded February 2025
CTA Series 9000 rapid transit cars engineering	CTA	Awarded	$5–25m
Metra Highliner II auxiliary power system modernisation	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded June 2026
Metra Highliner Amerail door panels hangers	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded July 2026
Metra award CDM Smith	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded June 2025
Metra award to HDR Engineering, Inc	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded August 2026
Metra award to Knorr Brake Company LLC	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded December 2025
Metra award Skidmore Owings Merrill	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded May 2025
Metra award to V3 Companies, Ltd	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded January 2026
Metra award to Vapor Stone Rail Systems	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded October 2025
Metra emergency windows and sash assemblies	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded October 2025
Metra structural reinforcement polymer composite deck panels	Metra	Awarded	$5–25m	Awarded July 2026
CTA 7000-Series railcars CRRC Sifang America	CTA	In execution	$500m–1bn
CREATE GS11 Columbus Avenue grade separation	CDOT	In execution	$25–100m	Awarded March 2025
CTA Austin Green Line station accessibility	CTA	In execution	$25–100m
Metra traction power substation equipment upgrade	Metra	In execution	$25–100m	Awarded April 2025
CTA All Stations Accessibility Program Oak Park Ridgeland	CTA	In execution	$5–25m
CTA system-wide CCTV video system management maintenance	CTA	In execution	$5–25m
Metra 115th Street Morgan Park station parking	Metra	In execution	$5–25m	Awarded February 2025
Metra CREATE EW2 Rock Island District Bridge 87	Metra	In execution	$5–25m	Awarded October 2025
Metra South Water Street Millennium Station rehabilitation	Metra	In execution	$5–25m	Awarded April 2025
Metra concrete-rubber highway crossing panels blanket agreement	Metra	In execution	$5–25m	Awarded October 2025
Metra rail fasteners blanket agreement	Metra	In execution	$5–25m	Awarded March 2026
Metra truck parts Nippon Sharyo car rehabilitation	Metra	In execution	$5–25m	Awarded July 2025
CTA Red Line Extension 95th to 130th Street	CTA	In execution	contract value not published	Published 2023
State/Lake Loop Elevated station demolition reconstruction	CDOT	In execution	value not published on the CDOT/CTA announcement
Amtrak Chicago hub 14th to Canal Street Yard	Amtrak	Planned	$500m–1bn
Amtrak South Branch Bridge Chicago River replacement	Amtrak	Planned	$25–100m
CTA 9000-Series railcars future order capital plan	CTA	Planned	$25–100m
CTA Blue Line Forest Park Branch track drainage	CTA	Planned	$25–100m
Metra 59th-60th Street University of Chicago construction	Metra	Planned	$25–100m
Metra Harvey Transportation Center construction professional services	Metra	Planned	$25–100m
Metra Rock Island Third Main engineering design	Metra	Planned	$25–100m
Metra signal engineering general engineering consultant	Metra	Planned	$5–25m
CTA Red Line Extension parking facility construction	CTA	Planned	over $20m projected (CTA Buying Plan projection, not an award)

Cities

City	Network status	Networks
Chicago	operational — eight CTA rail lines with 146 stations over 224 miles of track, eleven Metra commuter lines, and the busiest rail hub in the United States; ground was broken on the 5.5-mile Red Line Extension on 24 April 2026	Chicago 'L' (Chicago Transit Authority); Metra commuter rail; Amtrak Chicago hub (Union Station); CREATE freight and passenger corridors
Evanston	operational — CTA Purple Line and Metra Union Pacific North Line; the $2.1bn Red and Purple Modernization Phase One rebuilt the track structure and signalling south of Evanston and was nearing substantial completion, with work ongoing, when CTA described it in March 2026	CTA Purple Line; Metra Union Pacific North Line
Oak Park	operational — CTA Blue Line Forest Park Branch and Green Line, plus the Metra Union Pacific West Line; the Oak Park and Ridgeland stations are funded for accessibility work and the Forest Park Branch track rebuild is in design	CTA Blue Line (Forest Park Branch); CTA Green Line; Metra Union Pacific West Line

Players with a footprint here

Player	Kind	Footprint
CDM Smith	Engineering consultant	Project presence
SOM	Engineering consultant	Project presence

Withheld in the free surface

Capex in this region (3)
Market narrative

Full detail withheld: 2 fields. In the United States edition · See a fully open example

Unfunded need
Grade crossing fund
Federal funding risk
Methodology note

Full detail withheld: 4 fields. In the United States edition · See a fully open example

Sources

● Amtrak (media centre) · Amtrak Awarded Nearly $3B in USDOT Grants to Buy New Trains and Improve Service Nationwide (published 2026-08-14 · checked 2026-09-13)
● CREATE Program · About CREATE — programme overview ($5.8bn, 70 projects) (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)
● CREATE Program · BIDs/RFPs — bid advertisements and bid awards table (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · CTA Introduces New 7000-series Railcars to Scheduled Service (published 2021-04-21 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Transit Board Approves 2026 CTA Budget (published 2025-11-12 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · FY2026 Budget Book (President's 2026 Budget Recommendations; FY2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program) (published 2025-10 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · Red Line Extension (RLE) and Red & Purple Modernization Project Funds Unfrozen (published 2026-03-27 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Transit Authority Sues Federal Government Over Paused Red Line Extension and Red & Purple Modernization Project Funding (published 2026-03-20 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · CTA Celebrates Start of the Historic Red Line Extension Project by Breaking Ground at the Future Michigan Avenue Station (published 2026-04-24 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Chicago Transit Authority · CTA Moves Forward with Promised Transit Oriented Development Plan As Agency Completes Historic Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project (published 2025-12-23 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Illinois Commerce Commission · Rail Safety Program — Illinois Rail Facts (2026), updated 03/26 (published 2026-03 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Illinois Commerce Commission · Crossing Safety Improvement Program (Grade Crossing Protection Fund) (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Metra · Bid tabulation — IFB No. 184703, Construction Services for UPNL Bridges Segment 1 (bid open 21 August 2026) (published 2026-08-21 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Metra · Metra OKs 2026 budget of $1.2 billion (published 2025-11-13 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Metra · Capital Program — 2026 Capital Program Summary (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Metra · Metra unveils 2026 construction program (published 2026-04-08 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Metra (Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation) · Procurement Operations (Purchasing) — bid tabulations and procurement awards (published 2026 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Northern Illinois Transit Authority · NITA — home ('Starting September 1, NITA is now your regional transit agency') (published 2026-09 · checked 2026-09-13)
● Northern Illinois Transit Authority · How the NITA trailer bill and 2027 state budget will impact Chicagoland transit (published 2026-06-11 · checked 2026-09-13)

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Compiled by Watchtower to editorial standards the Managing Partner sets and enforces. Public record only — every datum carries its source.