CTA Red and Purple Modernization Project


Upcoming Meetings

In July and August, Alderman Osterman is hosting a series of Block-by-Block meetings for neighbors living on Winthrop between Ardmore and Ainslie. See below for schedule. We will post flyers at residences one week before each meeting with details. Please email ally@48thward.org with questions about these meetings.

  • 5200 Block of Winthrop: Tuesday, July 9, 6:30pm | Boxcar, 1113 W. Berwyn
  • 5300 Block of Winthrop: Tuesday, July 16, 6:30pm | Cedar Park, 5311 N. Winthrop
  • 5400 Block of Winthrop: Tuesday, July 23, 6:30pm | 5430 N. Winthrop
  • 5500 Block of Winthrop: Tuesday, August 13, 6:30pm | 5518 N. Winthrop (green space)
  • 5600 Block of Winthrop: Monday, August 19, 6:30pm |Location TBD
  • 5700 Block of Winthrop: Tuesday, August 20, 6:30pm | 5700 N. Winthrop
  • 5000 Block of Winthrop: Monday, August 26, 6:30pm | Goudy Elementary School, 5120 N. Winthrop
  • 4900 Block of Winthrop: Monday, September 9, 6:30pm | Harmony Arts Garden, 4919 N. Winthrop
  • 5100 Block of Winthrop: Tuesday, September 10, 6:30pm | Goudy Elementary School, 5120 N. Winthrop

About the Project

Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) is a transformative project designed to ensure a strong future for the CTA’s busiest rail line, that will modernize stations and structures nearly a century old.

RPM improvements in the 48th Ward include:

  • New Modern Stations: Four stations (Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr) will be completely rebuilt, along with new track viaducts and embankments along the Red/Purple lines between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr.
  • Faster, Smoother Rides: New track viaducts and embankment along the Red/Purple lines between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr, and signal upgrades along the entire line to provide smoother and quieter rides
  • Less Crowding and More Frequent Service: Wider and longer station platforms at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr. With signal upgrades, this will allow the CTA to add up to 15 Red, Brown and Purple line trains each hour during rush hours.
  • Full ADA Accessibility: Rebuilt stations will include elevators and other accessibility improvements.

Click here for a comprehensive overview of the project on the CTA website.

RPM in the 48th Ward

The RPM project will be the largest public works project our community sees in a lifetime. While this project will enhance a key asset in our community and serve future generations, during the construction our community will feel significant impacts. Our office is committed to working with neighbors and business owners to collaborate on solutions to the pains of construction.

In December 2018, the CTA announced their selection for a contracting team that will design and build the $2.1B RPM Project. After an 18-month procurement process, the Walsh-Fluor team was selected to execute an historic project for our community and the City of Chicago. Through Spring 2019, crews will continue to relocate utilities in the alleys adjacent to the train tracks, and construction on the tracks and stations is not expected to begin until 2020. We expect to begin holding community meetings with the CTA and the Walsh-Fluor team in spring of 2019.

If you have any questions or concerns about the project, please contact Ally Brisbin in our office at ally@48thward.org.