CTA to solicit bids for Wilson Red Line Station project

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has issued an invitation for bids for the $203 million reconstruction of the Wilson Red Line Station, one of the largest "L" station projects in the agency's history, CTA officials announced.

The project is designed to transform the facility into a reconfigured, accessible station that will offer connections between the Red and Purple lines, the only transfer point on the Red Line between Howard and Belmont, CTA officials said in a prepared statement.

The project also will improve the appearance and pedestrian environment on Broadway and Wilson by removing some L structure support columns from streets and sidewalks, they said.

Contractor bids will be accepted through mid-June. CTA anticipates selecting a bid and submitting it to the Chicago Transit Board for approval in August. Following an environmental review, the CTA could issue a notice to proceed as early as September.

"Rebuilding the Wilson station is a critical component to rejuvenating the Red Line, the backbone of the CTA rail system," said CTA President Forrest Claypool.