Work is expected to get underway this fall on the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project with construction of the Red-Purple Bypass.
RPM is intended to rebuild the city’s century-old rail system and to improve the commuting experience by giving riders improved service and modern, fully accessible stations.
The first steps in the project will see the building of new track foundations in the Lakeview community for a new rail bypass bridge that will replace an existing rail junction built in 1907 just north of the Belmont station. The new structure will be a bypass that will carry Kimball-bound CTA Brown Line trains over north and southbound Red and Purple Line tracks just north of Belmont station.
The work is being done to complement the comprehensive Transit Oriented Development Plan that CTA prepared in 2018 with the local community for parcels of land that will be available for development when construction is completed.
Walsh-Fluor Design Build Team is the contractor on the project, and is currently working with the CTA to finalize the construction start date.
“The Red and Purple Modernization Project will benefit CTA customers across our rail system and is an important investment in the future of Chicago transit,” said CTA president Dorval R. Carter, Jr.
“The Red-Purple Bypass is a critical component to making our service more reliable and comfortable for commuters that will have benefits for all CTA riders. An investment in transit is also, however, an investment in local communities and their long-term livelihood. Supporting the community during the construction process is as important as the end result, which is why we will continue to work closely with local residents, businesses and elected officials to inform and listen.”
