CTA surpasses workforce diversity goals for Garfield Green Gateway project

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) yesterday announced it's exceeding diversity and inclusive workforce goals for the ongoing Garfield Green Gateway project in Washington Park.

The $43 million project calls for rehabbing the main station house and entrance, rehabbing the original Garfield station house built in 1892 and completing streetscape improvements. The work involves extending platform canopies, improving accessibility, and upgrading elevators and escalators.

The CTA is working with contractor Walsh Construction to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce for the Green Line project, authority officials said in a press release.

The CTA announced they jointly have:
• attained 63 percent minority hiring participation (goal of 19.6 percent);
• reached 19 percent in neighborhood hiring (goal of 7.5 percent); and
• achieved 18 percent under a federal program to provide training and employment services to unemployed and under-employed workers (goal of 10 percent).

They also have hired 23 union apprentices from six construction trades and 10 Chicago residents as part of the workforce.

Walsh Construction worked closely with the CTA to develop plans for worker outreach and training, authority officials said. In addition, their joint diversity programs department targeted local businesses, trade associations and workforce development agencies to help generate awareness and maximize participation from those interested in pursuing a construction trades career.

"The CTA works very hard to ensure that projects like Garfield Green Gateway benefit not only [our] customers, but also the communities our rail stations serve," said CTA President Dorval  Carter Jr. "We are firmly committed to hiring and training a diverse and inclusive workforce."