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Chicago Transit Authority’s board Sept. 11 approved a $877,000 contract to purchase 2,300 plastic composite ties from U.S. Plastic Lumber Corp. to replace worn wooden ties on its Brown and Red lines.



"While wood has long been the standard for railroad ties, several factors including increased wear and environmental concerns have been key factors in our decision to switch to a recyclable plastic alternative on the CTA system," said CTA Chairman Valerie Jarrett in a prepared statement.



With this contract award, CTA will have replaced 22,300 wood ties — of a total 650,000 ties — with the plastic alternative. CTA further plans to work with U.S. Plastic Lumber to create new ties for use on the rehabilitation of the Cermak (Douglas) Branch of the Blue Line. Materials collected from community residents living near the line will be recycled and go into the ties to be used on the rehabilitated line.