CTA board OKs $42.9 million project to upgrade three substations

The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) board has awarded a $42.9 million contract to Clark Construction Group to upgrade three substations that provide power to all eight of the agency's rail lines.

The East Lake, Milwaukee and Illinois substations will be modernized to improve service and reliability, CTA officials said in a press release. Crews will upgrade the substations' traction power equipment that helps move trains across the system.

"This investment will improve service reliability for rail customers by upgrading three substations that are decades old," said CTA President Dorval Carter Jr.

Regional Transportation Authority bonds are providing funds for the project, which is expected to be completed in spring 2020.