Rail News: Passenger Rail
CTA develops more options to modernize North Red, Purple lines

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has developed additional options that will be studied as potential improvements to the North Red and Purple line corridor.

The project is being designed to bring the corridor, which stretches along the existing Red and Purple lines from Belmont to the Linden terminal, into a state of good repair, CTA officials said in a prepared statement. The project also would reduce travel times, improve access to job markets and destinations, and provide improved access to people with disabilities, they said.

Earlier this week, CTA officials presented the latest improvement proposals to the public for their comments. CTA is developing modernization options that will be studied in the first tier of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is needed before an application can be submitted for federal funding, agency officials said.

The project alternatives under consideration include a comprehensive reconstruction of track, stations, and structures along the line. The project is one part of CTA’s larger initiative to enhance the entire Red Line.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the CTA and Federal Transit Administration have initiated the environmental review process for the project and will be preparing an EIS.