CTA unveils first phase of modernization project, Red Line extension environmental steps

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) officials late last week announced the first phase of the Red and Purple modernization program to rebuild the northern section of the Red Line and the parallel Purple Line.

They also announced the beginning of the next step in a federal process to secure funding for the Red Line extension project, which would extend the Red Line south from 95th Street to 130th Street, according to a CTA press release.

The CTA's Red Line, which runs 24/7 along 23 miles of tracks, is Chicago's busiest rail line with about 75 million annual rides.

The first phase of the Red and Purple modernization improvements will include two main components: station and track modernization from Wilson to Bryn Mawr, which entails rebuilding the Wilson, Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations and rebuilding all track, support structures, bridges and viaducts for the Red and Purple lines between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr; and construction of a Red-Purple bypass north of the Belmont Station.
The first phase of the Red and Purple modernization is estimated to cost $1.7 billion.

The 5.3-mile Red Line extension project will extend south from the 95th Street Terminal through the greater Roseland community. Plans include construction of four new stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue/116th Street and 130th Street, all with bus and parking facilities.

In 2011, the CTA received funding from the Federal Transit Authority to conduct the Environmental Impact Statement for the Red Line project — a major step in the multi-step federal process to secure approval and funding of the $2.3 billion dollar project, authority officials said.

The CTA will host the following open houses to solicit public comments on the projects: May 13 for the Red Line project; May 21 for the Lawrence-to-Bryn Mawr modernization; and May 22 for the Red-Purple bypass.