November 3, 2011 (CHICAGO) — 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman stood this morning with Governor Quinn, Mayor Emanuel, and CTA President Claypool to announce $135 Million in funding to rebuild the Wilson L Red Line station. The funding is from a larger allocation from The Illinois Jobs Now! capital program investment which will be combined with other state, local and federal funds for an overall commitment of $1 billion to create more than 2,700 jobs by overhauling a critical piece of the region’s transit system that accounts for nearly 40 percent of ridership on the CTA’s rail network.
“Since I was elected Alderman, my number one priority has been to rebuild the Wilson L,” Cappleman said this morning. “It is the hub of the Uptown neighborhood. It’s the gateway to what will be the revitalized Entertainment District. With this redevelopment, the new Wilson L will spark economic growth and make our community safer for everyone.”
This will be the largest transit project that the CTA has ever undertaken. Ground breaking will begin in 2012 with the project slated for completion in 2014. The actual design of the new Wilson L is still in the development process and will include community input.
“For 20 years, the 46th Ward has been promised time and time again that the money was coming. We waited and waited,” Cappleman said. “I’m honored and thrilled to be able to say to you that this day has finally come.”