CTA unveils new station designs for RPM Phase One Project

February 22, 2021

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently unveiled the new designs for the four Red Line stations (Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr) involved in phase one of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Project. The $2.1 billion project is part of the CTA’s plan to rebuild the Red and Purple lines between the Linden and Belmont stations, help alleviate overcrowding and delays and modernize Chicago’s transit infrastructure. Each station will be fully accessible, have wider platforms and provide an improved travel experience for commuters.

“Public transit is the great connector of our city and with this monumental project, we are building on our obligation to ensure Chicago’s transportation network is accessible, reliable and affordable so our residents remain connected to jobs, education and opportunity,” said Mayor Lightfoot.

The Walsh Fluor Design Build team and EXP sought input from the community to create a local identity for each station. EXP’s senior vice president, Jef Jakalski shared, “The Red Line provides critical connection points for Chicagoans. Working alongside our partners, we delivered station designs to reflect a sense of community and characteristics to highlight the longstanding and ongoing commitment to improving Chicago transit.”

RPM Phase One Project includes three major components:

  • Reconstruction of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations into larger, 100 percent accessible stations; and replacement of track structure totaling six track-miles that is a century old. Reconstruction work will begin in Spring 2021. The new stations are expected to open by the end of 2024.
  • New Red-Purple Bypass construction (expected completion by the end of 2021), followed by the reconstruction of Red and Purple Line track structure between Belmont and Newport/Cornelia (expected completion by the end of 2024).
    • Installation of a new signal system on 23 track miles between Howard and Belmont that, similar to roadway traffic signals, will improve train flow and service reliability.

EXP looks forward to continued work on the Red and Purple Modernization Project. Stay tuned for more updates from the Walsh Fluor Design-Build Team and EXP about Phase One Project progress.

Source: Chicago Transit Authority

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