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Yesterday, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) board approved a $577 million contract to purchase 406 heavy-rail cars from Bombardier Transportation. The contract includes a base order of 206 cars and a 200-car option.

To feature security cameras, aisle-facing seats and alternating current propulsion, the cars will replace CTA’s fleet of vehicles manufactured between 1969 and 1978.

Bombardier is expected to deliver 10 prototype cars in 2008 that CTA will test in revenue service for nine months. Production cars are scheduled to be delivered starting in 2010. If all remaining options are exercised, CTA could purchase a total of 706 cars for $933 million.