CTA awards construction contracts to replace, expand two Red Line stations

The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) board yesterday approved the award of two construction contracts to replace and expand the Wilson and 95th/Dan Ryan stations as part of the Red Line modernization project.

A $153.6 million construction contract for the Wilson station reconstruction project and a $23.1 million contract for the initial foundation and retaining wall work for the 95th/Dan Ryan station both were awarded to Walsh/2-in-1 Joint Venture following separate bidding processes, CTA officials said in a press release.

"The Red Line is the backbone of the CTA rail system, carrying nearly 40 percent of all rail rides," said CTA President Forrest Claypool. "These investments will benefit not only the thousands of customers who use them each day, but also the surrounding communities."

The $203 million Wilson project involves replacing the station house, built in 1923, with a new, modern and accessible station that also will serve as a new transfer point between Red and Purple Line service. Work also includes the reconstruction of 2,200 feet of century-old elevated track, signals and supporting infrastructure that will be relocated from the street and sidewalks along Broadway and Wilson to the west. The station work will be done within the footprint of the existing station in the Uptown Square Historic District. Construction is expected to begin late this year.

The new $240 million 95th Street/Dan Ryan station project will replace and expand the existing structure, which was built in 1969.