CTA Project to Begin Final Major Phase of Reconstruction

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced it will begin the final major phase of the transformational Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization project this summer.

The project is part of CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project.

This phase includes the start of construction of four new, fully accessible Red Line stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr.

The agency also announced it will hold community meetings in June 2023 to provide information about the work, project benefits, and impacts to neighbors and CTA customers.

What the Project Means for CTA

By starting the last major phase of this modernization, CTA is moving closer to providing fully accessible Red Line stations with elevators and escalators, wider platforms, and other amenities.

CTA also reaches a project milestone by completing what will be the new northbound Red and Purple Line tracks in summer 2023.

This means CTA customers will get to experience some of the improved service from the RPM project – with trains using new tracks between the Wilson station and just south of the Thorndale station.

“We continue to work hard to improve the Red Line, from rebuilding century-old infrastructure to extending the Red Line on the Far South Side to expand access to transit,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “The RPM project is an important part of our commitment to making the entire CTA rail system fully accessible.  I look forward to opening the new Red Line stations with elevators and escalators for our customers.”

Stages of the Project

The $2.1 billion RPM Phase One Project includes rebuilding CTA track structures and stations between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr, the majority of which are being rebuilt in two stages, Stage A and Stage B:

• Stage A (2021-2023): CTA has been reconstructing what will be the northbound Red and Purple tracks between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr. During this work, CTA Red and Purple Line Express trains have shared the two remaining tracks to allow CTA to continue rail service during construction.
• Stage B (2023-2025): When Stage A is completed and trains have been rerouted to the two new east tracks, CTA will close the two older west tracks and begin to rebuild what will be the southbound Red and Purple track structures. CTA will also begin to construct the new, fully accessible Red Line stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr.
• The work on Stage B will include new track, support structures, bridges, and viaducts built along the approximately 1.3-mile segment between Leland and Ardmore Avenues, eliminating many deteriorated structures in the community.

RPM Phase One Overview

RPM Phase One Project includes three components:

• Reconstruction of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations into larger, 100% accessible stations; and replacement of track structure totaling six track miles.
• New Red-Purple Bypass construction (completed in 2021) and the reconstruction of the Red and Purple Line track structure between Belmont and Newport/Cornelia (ongoing).
• Installation of a new signal system on 23 track miles between Howard and Belmont that, similar to roadway traffic signals, will improve train flow and service reliability (ongoing).