CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Transit Authority announced Tuesday that the agency will begin next month the first of two phases of major station and track reconstruction between approximately Lawrence and Bryn Mawr stations, as part of CTA's $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization Phase One Project.
The Red and Purple Modernization project will rebuild the 100-year-old Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations and tracks. The new stations will be modern, larger and fully accessible stations that will include elevators, wider platforms, and vastly improved amenities. CTA will also rebuild the century-old track structure between the four contiguous stations, which will provide a smoother, more comfortable and more reliable ride.
New track, support structures, bridges, and viaducts will be built along the approximately 1.3-mile segment between Leland and Ardmore Avenues, eliminating many deteriorated structures in the community.
Last year, during an informational open house, resident Richard Faloon told WBBM Newsradio he thinks the end result will be worth the hassle.
"I think it’ll be nice to see the stations updated and ADA compliant, but it’s going to be quite the effect to the commute for three years," he said.
The Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization Project will be performed in two stages, Stage A (2021-2022) and Stage B (late 2022-2024), with new stations expected to open near the end of 2024. Red and Purple Line service will continue throughout construction.
"When it’s done, it’s going to provide a significant amount of stability in our neighborhood on public transportation. Also, housing growth. I think there’ll be some development that’s going to come in the wake of this," said 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman last year at an open house on the portion of the Red Line Modernization Program in his ward.
According to the CTA, Lawrence and Berwyn stations will close May 16 for demolition and reconstruction. Temporary Red Line stations at Argyle and Bryn Mawr will open May 16 to provide customers with access to Red Line service, so the original Argyle and Bryn Mawr stations can be demolished and reconstructed. There will be temporary station access at Argyle and Bryn Mawr throughout construction.
New stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr are expected to be completed and open near the end of 2024. Red and Purple Line service will continue throughout construction, with train service running on two tracks (the westernmost tracks) while CTA rebuilds the two easternmost tracks (normally the northbound tracks). Red and Purple Line trains will share a track in both directions. Customers should allow extra travel time.
Two bus routes, the #81 Lawrence and the #92 Foster, will be rerouted starting on May 16 to provide customers with convenient bus-rail transfers:
• The #81 Lawrence will be rerouted to the Wilson Red and Purple Line transfer station.
• The #92 Foster will be rerouted to the Bryn Mawr temporary Red Line station.
Learn more about RPM online at transitchicago.com/RPM and sign up for project alerts at transitchicago.com/RPMalerts.
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