Case Study: Skilled Trades Shortage Hampers Chicago Transit Tunnel Expansion (2020)

Project Overview
• Name: Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line Extension Tunnel
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Year: 2020
• Project Size: $1.3 billion
• Scope: Subway tunnel expansion including excavation, tunnel lining, and systems installation
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: CTA /

Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Skilled Trades Shortage
• Workforce Planning

Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
The project faced significant delays due to a shortage of skilled tunnel miners, concrete finishers, and electrical tradespeople. The urban labor market was heavily contested by multiple infrastructure projects.

Root Cause Analysis

• High concurrent demand for tunneling and electrical trades across Chicago region.
• Insufficient early recruitment and training pipeline development.
• Complex project scheduling with overlapping critical path trades.
• Lack of labor retention incentives for high-risk tunneling work.

Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Delays of 5 months on tunnel excavation and systems installation.
• Labor premium and overtime costs exceeded $7.1 million.
• Contractor claims filed for additional schedule recovery resources.

Corrective Actions Taken

1. Aggressive recruitment campaigns targeting experienced tunnel miners from other states.
2. Collaboration with local unions to improve apprenticeship throughput.
3. Enhanced labor retention programs including hazard pay and wellness initiatives.

Lessons Learned

• Early labor market analysis is critical in congested urban regions.
• Training and retention programs must align with project complexity and risk.
• Proactive communication and collaboration with labor unions can mitigate shortages.

Audit & Prevention: Project Control Questions to Ask on Future Projects to Help Control the Situation

• Are specialized tunneling trades accounted for in labor market assessments?
• Have apprenticeship and training programs been expanded to meet demand?
• Is there a comprehensive labor retention strategy for hazardous or high-risk work?