CTA Red and Purple Modernization Project


Community meetings were held throughout 2019 and January, 2020 to bring residents up to date with plans for the upcoming construction of the Red Line stations between Lawrence and Hollywood.

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

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.