CTA awards contract in next phase of upgrades to Brown, Purple Line

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has awarded a $40.3 million contract to Kiewit Infrastructure Co. to upgrade track along a section of the Brown and Purple Line as part of the second phase of the $71 million Ravenswood Connector rehabilitation project.

Kiewit crews in spring will begin improving track along the connector, which carries about 700 Brown and Purple Line trains each weekday. The crews will upgrade the track between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart to eliminate slow zones and create a smoother ride, CTA officials said in a press release.

CTA ironworkers have been repairing and upgrading the elevated structure of the connector for nearly a year. Crews have been renewing key elements of the more than century-old structure by replacing flange angles, which are critical brackets that strengthen the elevated structure and support the tracks, CTA officials said. The project is expected to be completed by 2015's end.