CTA breaks ground on Wilson Station, track reconstruction project

Chicago officials broke ground earlier this week on the $203 million Wilson Station reconstruction project, which will modernize the 91-year-old station house and its more than 100-year-old track.

When completed, the revitalized station will serve as an anchor for the Uptown neighborhood by stimulating local business and job growth, said Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and city officials in a press release.

The project is one of the largest stations in CTA history, and is the latest in a series of Red Line modernization projects since the city began to update its busiest rail line in 2011.

"The Red Line is the backbone of our transportation network, and making major investments, like the new Wilson Station, drives economic activity that will benefit the Uptown neighborhood and Chicago for years to come," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

When completed in late 2017, the station will serve as the new transfer point for Red and Purple line trains. The project also calls for relocating and reconstructing 2,200 feet of elevated track, signals and supporting infrastructure.

Also this week, the CTA's board approved seven new concession leases to local and international businesses to provide convenience food and beverages to riders. Revenue generated by the leases will add $323,000 annually to non-farebox revenue and nearly $3.4 million over the course of the base-term agreements, CTA officials said.