President Obama's final days are quickly approaching and he left his hometown city one final gift on his way out. A billion dollar gift. 

According to this Chicago Sun Times story the president has signed off on federal grant money totaling nearly $1.1 billion that will go towards rehabbing the northern part of Chicago's Red Line.

If you're unfamiliar with the Red Line, it is the arm of Chicago's train system that connects it's far north side with it's south side. It also is the line that makes stops outside of Wrigley Field and Guaranteed Rate Field (formerly U.S. Cellular, formerly Comiskey Park.)  Considering Wrigley Field hosts more than 3 million people each summer alone, many of them taking the Red Line, these upgrades will be greatly appreciated.

One of the main upgrades that will be instantly noticed by anyone who regularly rides it will be upgrades that avoid congestion that will alleviate one of the worst bottlenecks in the entire system. This will make the trip from downtown to the northern neighborhoods an even easier trip.

 

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