The Chicago Transit Authority on Wednesday added another $15 million in track and viaduct work to its schedule of repairs designed to reduce slow zones on the Red Line.
The CTA already has several multi-million dollar renovation projects in the works, beginning with the Granville station which started in early June, and the Red Line South Track Renewal Project, set to begin in spring 2013.
The additional renovations include modernizing the Jarvis, Morse, Thorndale, Berwyn, Argyle, and Lawrence Red Line Stations with new tracks and viaducts, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday. Waterproofing and track replacement will be added between the Loyola and Morse stations, while 1.3 miles of deteriorated track and rail will be updated at the Lawrence, Granville, and Jarvis stations. Pratt and Lawrence stations will also receive newly repaired viaducts.
The CTA has future plans to fully demolish the north side stations, considered the most damaged on the Red Line system, however, the temporary renovations will eliminate slow zones for commuters until the full restoration can take place in 2014.
Adding the temporary renovations to existing projects will save the cash strapped CTA $75 million and save substantial time on the overall Red Line renovation.
Financial advisers Goldman Sachs is now exploring CTA partnerships to assist with financing a complete modernization of the Red and Purple Line corridor for stations north of Belmont, making all stations compliant with the American’s with Disabilities Act, as well as the highly anticipated Red Line south extension, set to extend the line 5 ½ miles from 94th Street to 130th.
Renovations of existing Red Line stations are set to be completed early next year.
