Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Red Line

Matthew Walsh of Walsh Construction; Tom Tunney, 44th ward alderman; Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky; Mayor Lori Lightfoot; U.S. Senator Dick Durbin; Kelley Brookins, Federal Transit Administration; Congressman Mike Quigley; Howard Brookins, 21st ward alderman; CTA President Dorval Carter. Photo: City of Chicago

It’s getting real: Construction began on Phase I of Red and Purple Modernization today

By John Greenfield | Oct 2, 2019 | 2 Comments

Work on the Belmont flyover, slated for complete by late 2021, kicked off today. RPM also includes the reconstruction of four station and extensive track and signal work.

44th Ward alderman Tom Tunney; 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman; Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. at this morning's presser in a CTA lot in the 3400 block of North Clark Street.

Addison Station Track Upgrades Represent a Milestone in the Massive RPM Project

By John Greenfield | Apr 26, 2019 | 7 Comments

The track work at Addison replaced worn track components, and eliminated a slow zone and track conditions that could lead to future slow zones.

Rendering of the new Red Line station at the first proposed location, the southeast corner of 15th and Clark.

Once Again, Alderman Dowell Tries to Block a Sustainable Transportation Amenity

By John Greenfield | Jan 11, 2019 | 40 Comments

Dowell made the ridiculous claim that a new Red Line the station would be "out of character" with a dense urban development.

The north side of the new south terminal. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Check Out the New South Terminal of the 95th Street Stop

By Jeff Zoline | Apr 16, 2018 | 6 Comments

The facility is open to rail and bus riders, while the old station is now closed for construction of a new north terminal.

The Metra Electric District line. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

We’re Not Done With the Metra Electric District Line

By Peter Taylor | Mar 8, 2018 | 23 Comments

Far South Sider Peter Taylor discusses why we need to convert the electric line to rapid transit service and integrate the fare system with the CTA.

The second island platform is under construction. Visible in the background is an ad for Smoke Dreams, "Chicago's #1 Smoke Shop," located in the adjacent building. Photo: CTA

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Wilson Red Line Station Reconstruction Moves Into Its Final Phase

By John Greenfield | Mar 10, 2017 | 5 Comments

The $203 million rehab of the Wilson Red Line station in Uptown is chugging along. Yesterday city officials marked the start of the final phase of the reconstruction, which involves removing the last section of 100-year-old tracks and building a modern, wheelchair accessible station house. Starting Monday, CTA trains will run exclusively on brand new […]

CTA president Dorval Carter signs a giant funding agreement at this morning's event. Photo: CTA

Thanks Obama: Feds Award $1.1 Billion for Red and Purple Line Modernization

By John Greenfield | Jan 9, 2017 | 14 Comments

It came as no surprise, but it was still a relief, when officials announced today that the $1 billion federal grant for the CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization project has been approved.

Ben Joravsky’s an Astute Pundit, But His Transit TIF Takedown Is Misguided

By John Greenfield | Nov 23, 2016 | 3 Comments

Joravsky's column about the CTA’s rush to get a transit TIF passed in order fund the Red and Purple Modernization while Obama is still in office contains some questionable logic that needs to be addressed.

The proposed RPM transit TIF district leaves existing TIF districts alone. They could be redrawn, or they could be absorbed when they expire.

The CTA Is Rushing to Secure Red/Purple Funding Before Trump Takes Office

By Steven Vance | Nov 15, 2016 | No Comments

It's likely funding for urban transit will be harder to come by under the Trump administration. That could jeopardize chances to fund the Red and Purple Modernization project (RPM).

Some Skepticism, Lots of Support for Funding Red Line Work With Transit TIF

By Michael Podgers | Sep 15, 2016 | 9 Comments

At a public meeting Tuesday night, Department of Planning and Development and Chicago Transit Authority officials outlined plans for a new transit TIF district along the North Side Mainline ‘L’, which carries the Red and Purple lines. The proposed TIF (tax-increment finance district) would generate funds to help pay for the Red-Purple Modernization project. At […]

Pritzker Park Sale Is a Chance to Create New Transfer from ‘L’ to Subway

By Steven Vance | May 8, 2015 | 37 Comments

There are several pros and cons of the city’s controversial plan to sell the Pritzker Park site for development. One important and urgent aspect is that it would be an unparalleled – and potentially free – opportunity to create the first enclosed, wheelchair-accessible transfer between the CTA’s Loop elevated lines and the Red and Blue Line subways. […]

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