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Yesterday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel unveiled design renderings of the planned $203 million reconstruction of the Red Line's Wilson Avenue Station, one of the largest 'L' station projects in the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) history.

Slated to begin in 2013, the station will serve the CTA's busiest rail line, as well provide an anchor for economic development in the city's Uptown neighborhood, agency officials said in a prepared statement.

"This is a great starting point for the future design of an important station that helps thousands of Chicagoans get to work and school each day," Emanuel said.

The station's design will feature contemporary architecture, glass and steel canopies and a glass-enclosed entrance along Wilson Avenue. An auxiliary entrance will be located on Sunnyside Avenue to serve a newer commercial development featuring major retailers.

The project also will include significant track and signal system improvements near the station, as well as structural and viaduct work.

The project is part of the CTA's "Red Ahead" program, a $1 billion effort to maintain, modernize and expand the Red Line.