Red & Purple Modernization Program

Red & Purple Modernization Program
Name	Red & Purple Modernization Program
Location	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Transit	Chicago Transit Authority
Lines	Chicago "L"
Status	Ongoing
Start	2012
Estimated cost	$2.3 billion (original)

Red & Purple Modernization Program The Red & Purple Modernization Program is a multi-year infrastructure initiative in Chicago, Illinois focused on upgrading the Chicago Transit Authority's Chicago "L" Red Line (CTA) and Purple Line (CTA) corridors, including the junction north of Howard station (CTA). The program addresses aging track, signals, stations, and capacity constraints affecting service to neighborhoods such as Edgewater, Chicago, Rogers Park, Chicago, and Lincoln Park, Chicago. The program interrelates with regional planning efforts by entities including the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

Overview

The program seeks to modernize the bottleneck where the Red Line (CTA) and Purple Line (CTA) converge near Howard station (CTA), replace century-old infrastructure like the Howard Yard, and rebuild stations such as Belmont station (CTA), Thorndale station (CTA), and Wilson station (CTA). It involves stakeholders including the Federal Transit Administration, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and private contractors like Skanska, with oversight from the Chicago Transit Authority Board. The initiative aligns with proposals from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration and later Mayor Lori Lightfoot's transit priorities.

History and Planning

Planning traces to studies by the Regional Transportation Authority (Illinois) and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning that identified capacity and state-of-good-repair needs first articulated after reviews by the Urban Land Institute and analyses modeled by TransSystem. Early public meetings involved community groups such as the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and advocacy organizations like the Active Transportation Alliance and Metropolitan Planning Council. Federal involvement began with grants from the Federal Transit Administration and environmental reviews consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act process, with technical input from engineering firms including Parsons Corporation and Jacobs Engineering Group.

Project Components

Major components include reconstruction of the Howard station (CTA) junction, replacement of aging movable bridges such as the Sheridan Road drawbridge-adjacent structures, comprehensive signal modernization including conversion to Communications-Based Train Control concepts evaluated with firms like Siemens and Bombardier Transportation, station reconstructions at Wilson station (CTA) and Belmont station (CTA), track and structure renewal, and enhancements to the Howard Yard maintenance facilities. Accessibility improvements are designed to meet standards set under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, with coordination from agencies such as the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office when work affects historic resources like the Bryn Mawr station (CTA) area.

Funding and Budget

Initial cost estimates cited figures around $2.3 billion and funding mixes included capital funds from the Federal Transit Administration, grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation, state appropriations via the Illinois General Assembly, and local contributions administered by the Chicago Transit Authority. The program applied for discretionary grants such as those under the CIG Program (Federal Transit Administration) and sought alternatives including revenue bonds overseen by the Chicago Finance Department. Cost reviews referenced precedents from large transit projects like New York City Subway's Second Avenue Subway and San Francisco's Central Subway for risk and contingency planning.

Construction and Engineering

Phased construction sequencing used approaches similar to major urban transit reconstructions executed by contractors like Archer Western Contractors and engineering managed by firms such as AECOM. Work included replacement of elevated structures constructed under the Chicago Elevated Railways Company era, installation of continuous welded rail, and structural rehabilitation of historic steel viaducts. Coordination with utilities involved negotiations with companies like ComEd and Nicor Gas, while environmental mitigation referenced standards tied to the Environmental Protection Agency. Construction logistics required traffic planning with the Chicago Department of Transportation and staging near landmarks including Wrigley Field and Graceland Cemetery, necessitating noise and vibration monitoring.

Operations and Service Impact

Planned service impacts included temporary rerouting of Red Line (CTA) and Purple Line (CTA) trains, shuttle bus operations managed under CTA service plans, and adjustments coordinated with Metra where intermodal connections near Howard station (CTA) affect commuter flows. Improvements aim to increase capacity and reliability, reducing dwell times and enabling more frequent service comparable to service upgrades pursued by agencies such as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Bay Area Rapid Transit District. Operations planning drew on ridership projections using models similar to those used by the American Public Transportation Association.

Criticism and Community Response

Community responses ranged from support by business groups like the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce to concerns voiced by neighborhood associations and elected officials including members of the Chicago City Council about construction disruption, potential displacement, and cost overruns. Critics compared risks to earlier projects with budget increases such as the Denver FasTracks program and raised questions about procurement practices and contract transparency involving firms with past controversies like Skanska USA Civil. Environmental and preservation advocates including the Commission on Chicago Landmarks engaged on design treatments affecting historic stations. Public hearings and legal reviews included participation by civic groups like the Metropolitan Planning Council and legal counsel with experience in transit litigation.

Category:Chicago "L" Category:Transportation in Chicago Category:Infrastructure