DOWNLOAD OUR APPDon't Miss CBS Chicago's Award-Winning News Content And Investigations; Click To Get The App Now!
CBSN ChicagoWatch Now
Filed Under:At Issue, Craig Dellimore, Regional Transportation Authority, RTA

(CBS) — The head of the Regional Transportation Authority believes the public will understand the need for more public transit money when they hear what the money is buying, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

RTA executive director Leanne Redden says the Chicago area transit agencies need some $12 billion for capital projects and she admits some of it’s a hard sell for the average person.

READ MORE: Man Killed, Two Others Injured In Hit-And-Run Crash In Homan Square

“I call them the invisible stuff and sometimes it’s bridges, sometimes it’s tunnels, sometimes it’s the technology or the communication systems and the switching systems,” Redden said.

READ MORE: Chicago Weather: Severe Storms, Including Risk Of Tornadoes And Large Hail, In Afternoon And Evening

But she says those projects improve service but there are also obvious needs. For example, Redden says the CTA is modernizing and rebuilding some of its rail lines and stations and Metra needs new rail cars.

MORE NEWS: Man Shot In River North Parking Garage

Redden says the state hasn’t had a capital program for years.