Work Ready to Begin on $2.1 Billion Red and Purple Line Modernization in Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority's largest-ever construction project, also one of its most controversial projects, will begin construction soon.

1 minute read

September 8, 2019, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


CTA Train

D Guest Smit / Shutterstock

The CTA is waiting for permits to start major construction on its Red and Purple Line modernization project, but plans to begin the work early this fall," reports Mary Wisniewski.

The CTA is preparing for construction with a public outreach campaign to educate residents of the Lakeview neighborhood about what to expect during construction.

"The first part of the project will involve digging 70-foot-deep holes to prepare for new track foundations for the Red-Purple bypass, which will carry northbound Brown Line trains over Red and Purple Line tracks north of the busy Belmont station," explains Wisniewski. "The bypass will replace a 112-year-old rail junction that carries about 150,000 riders every weekday."

Other critical work includes "rebuilding of the Red and Purple Line bridge that runs beneath the planned bypass," according to the article.

There are a lot more construction and planning details include in the article. The project is expected to be complete by 2025.

Friday, September 6, 2019 in Chicago Tribune

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