CTA to invest $4 million to improve Red Line tracks

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will invest nearly $4 million into track improvements at Addison Station on the Red Line, one of Chicago's busiest rail lines.

Construction, which began March 8 and is scheduled to be completed April 1, includes track renewal on the two western-most tracks that carry southbound Red and Purple Line express service, and replacement of concrete plinths, plates, fasteners, contact rail chairs and mounting blocks. 

The track upgrades are meant to ensure reliable service on the Red and Purple lines during future major construction work under the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project, which will begin later this year, CTA officials said in a press release. 

RPM Phase One includes reconstructing several Red Line stations into larger, accessible stations; upgrading track structure; building a rail bypass; and installing a new signal system. 

During this month’s track improvement work, a 25 mph slow zone on the southbound Red Line track will be eliminated to reduce risk of great delays during future RPM work.