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The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently awarded a $45.5 million contract to joint venture Aldridge-Mass to upgrade a signal system as part of CTA’s Brown Line capacity expansion and Clark Junction projects.

The firms will rehabilitate the signal system between Kimball and Western by installing signal equipment along the tracks, adding six crossing gates and circuitry, and rehabilitating Kimball Tower, where signals control switches and direct trains.

At Clark Junction — where the Brown, Purple and Red lines merge on the city’s north side — the contractors will install a new signal system from Armitage to Addison, provide signals for 14 rail crossovers and rehabilitate Clark Tower.

Construction on both projects is scheduled to begin by year end. Work at Clark Junction is expected to be complete by late 2006; signal and grade crossing work, by summer 2007.

The Federal Transit Administration, Regional Transportation Authority and Illinois Department of Transportation are funding the project.

Earlier this year, CTA obtained a Full Funding Grant Agreement from the FTA to expand the Brown Line’s capacity. The $530 million project includes lengthening station platforms to accommodate eight-car rather than six-car trains; rehabilitating stations; upgrading or replacing traction power, and signal and communication equipment; and reducing or eliminating slow zones.