Officials today announced $1 billion in funding for improvents to the CTA’s Red and Purple lines — including new rail ties for the Purple Line through Evanston.
The Purple Line work will replace ties from the north end of the line at Linden to the Belmont station in Chicago, eliminating slow zones that now affect about a quarter of the route.
Officials today announced $1 billion in funding for improvents to the CTA’s Red and Purple lines — including new rail ties for the Purple Line through Evanston.
The Purple Line work will replace ties from the north end of the line at Linden to the Belmont station in Chicago, eliminating slow zones that now affect about a quarter of the route.
Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a $646 million state capital investment grant for the projects today. That combined with other state, local and federal funds will pay the $1 billion price tax for the project, which officials say will create 2,700 jobs.
North side work on the Red Line will include rebuilding the Wilson and Clark/Division stations, along with the surrounding track. The ventilation system will be upgraded on the underground portion of the Red Line through downtown Chicago. Three electrical substations will be upgraded to improve reliability and ensure that service levels can be maintained.
On the South side, the project will replace tracks between 18th and 95th streets and provide upgrades to stations between Cermak and 95th Streets. Currently, almost 35 percent of the Dan Ryan branch is limited to speeds of less than 35 mph, with almost 20 percent of the branch restricted to a top speed of 15 mph.
“Since I became Governor I have focused on creating jobs and improving transportation service for our citizens,” Governor Quinn said. “This major investment in the CTA’s Red Line does both. It will quickly put people to work now and improve the quality of life for Chicago residents for years to come by ensuring safe, reliable travel between their jobs, their homes and their families.”
Construction will start in 2012 and will last three years.
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