Chicago mayor breaks ground at 95th Street station integrated terminal

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95th street terminal rendering

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel broke ground on a new 95th Street CTA terminal on Sept. 22. The $240 million reconstruction project, which will replace the 1969-built facility, is one of the largest among the CTA’s station projects. The 95th Street station is an integrated Red Line train and bus terminal and one of the city’s busiest.

“Today, we break ground on what will become the crown jewel of this new Red Line – the 95th Street station. As one of the CTA’s busiest terminals, this station is critical to the thousands of South Side residents who use it to get to work and travel throughout the city every day. Among other improvements, this project will relieve congestion for riders, widen customer waiting areas, and provide pickup and drop-off space for disabled pedestrian riders. Once complete, commuters will have a safe and modern station for decades to come,” said Senator Durbin.

The new station will have buildings both north and south of 95th Street, connected by an enclosed walkway over 95th Street for increased safety. The station will have a contemporary architectural design, featuring glass and steel canopies with light-filled, glass-enclosed structures. The project includes expanded platforms with sound panels, nearly three times more retail concession space, additional escalators and elevators, wider sidewalks and larger waiting areas in the bus terminal. To improve traffic and reduce congestion, plans to widen bus lanes and increase spacing between bus bays have also been included.

Internationally-known Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates will provide the artwork, some of which has been selected from community meetings held last year to engage and promote dialogue among community residents, architects and designers about artwork and community involvement ideas for the station project. The project also involves a program featuring job creation, skills training and significant community engagement.

The construction, which is likely to create more than 700 construction jobs, will continue through 2017. The station will be in operation throughout the entire project.

Funding for the project has come through various federal, state and local sources, including a $20 million Federal TIGER grant, TIFIA loan, Federal Bus Livability grant, Federal Formula funds, State of Illinois Jobs Now! funds and CTA bonds.

“The project will pave the way for extending the Red Line to the Roseland and Pullman neighborhoods, giving residents much-improved access to downtown,” said Rep. Kelly.

Source: http://www.transitchicago.com/news/default.aspx?Month=&Year=&Category=2&ArticleId=3345

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