Enhancing a stretch of century-old urban mass transit railway

At a Glance

  • $2.1B

    Project Value

  • 11

    Miles of New Track

  • 4

    New Transit Stations

Location
Chicago, Illinois
Offices
Client
  • Chicago Transit Authority
Partners
  • Walsh-Fluor Design Build Team
Architect
EXP
Article
Precast, prestressed concrete I-beams for the Red-Purple Modernization Program

Chicago Transit Authority - Red and Purple Line Modernization Program

At $2.1 billion, the Red and Purple Line Modernization Program (RPM) is the largest capital improvement project in Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) history. Our job? Leading design on this historic project.

The goal is to replace, reconstruct, and modernize 11 miles (17.7 kilometres) of elevated track and support structures, including the replacement of four stations along Chicago’s busiest transit corridor to increase train speeds and add capacity to CTA’s system. A new rail bypass in the densely populated Lakeview neighborhood will relieve congestion at Clark Junction where Red, Purple, and Brown Line trains—carrying 150,000 riders daily—intersect.

A new 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometres) segmental structure will be constructed in the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods, which will decrease long-term maintenance and create a modern aesthetic structure for the community. Stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr will be rebuilt to include wider platforms, increased canopy cover, new elevators and escalators for ADA accessibility, improved lighting and security features, and real-time travel information.

Our team designed these enhancements while maintaining CTA transit operations during construction. Altogether, this capital project will deliver a more reliable and enjoyable transit experience for Chicago commuters.

At a Glance

  • $2.1B

    Project Value

  • 11

    Miles of New Track

  • 4

    New Transit Stations

Location
Chicago, Illinois
Offices
Client
  • Chicago Transit Authority
Partners
  • Walsh-Fluor Design Build Team
Architect
EXP
Article
Precast, prestressed concrete I-beams for the Red-Purple Modernization Program

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Threading the needle: Upgrading Chicago’s “L"

Cities like Chicago grow around their historic transit systems. So how do you upgrade an elevated rail line that runs within inches of historic homes and businesses?