CTA Red & Purple Line Modernization Begins

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has begun Phase One of its Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) -- the largest capital project in CTA history -- which will involve rebuilding century-old track and constructing new, elevatoraccessible stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr.

Preliminary work between Montrose and Thorndale will include new rail interlockings to allow trains to safely switch tracks and new signal equipment to regulate traffic as Red and Purple Line trains run on two of their four tracks. Later this year, CTA will build temporary stations at Argyle and Bryn Mawr so that riders can still access trains when the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations close by early 2021 for construction.

The preliminary work, which will continue until spring, will be undertaken on weekends, when ridership is lower, CTA officials said. Work will begin late Friday evenings and end before the Monday morning rush. If trains bypass stations between Wilson and Howard, passengers will have to skip stations and then transfer to a train operating in the opposite direction to go back to their stop. Shuttle buses will also be provided during the weekend closures.

The loudest work will be done in the daytime when possible, but overnight construction will include noise, dust and vibration. The contractor will use specialized equipment such as temporary sound barriers. There will be periodic street and alley closures, but if project contractor Walsh-Fluor will block access to a garage, they will give advance notice and an alternative parking location, officials said.

Construction on the four (northbound and southbound) Red Line tracks and the four stations is scheduled to be complete by fall 2024. The 9.6 miles of tracks were built in 1924 and are CTA’s busiest, serving some of the city’s most densely populated neighborhoods. RPM Phase One is funded with a $957 million Federal Transit Administration grant, a $125 million congestion mitigation and air quality improvement (CMAQ) grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and $622 million in transit TIF from the City of Chicago and CTA financing.

-Suzanne Hanney, from email and online sources