CTA awards contract for Brown and Purple Line trackwork

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched the second phase of a major $71.2-million Brown and Purple Line renovation project with a $40.3-million contract award to Kiewit Infrastructure Co., which will upgrade tracks along the Brown and Purple Line between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart.

 

Kiewit crews will begin work this spring to improve tracks along the Ravenswood Connector, which carries about 700 Brown and Purple Line trains each weekday.

CTA crews have been renewing key elements on the more than 100-year-old structure by replacing flange angles. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 and the result of the two-year effort will be improved speed and reliability for Brown and Purple Line trains.

CTA in-house forces have also made some track repairs since last fall. Currently, track crews are working on tie replacement for immediate train-speed improvements south of Armitage. That work entails temporary slow zones on some sections of track that will lengthen normal travel times.

Separately, and as part of system-wide slow zone remediation work the CTA has under way, the CTA will perform track improvements August 16-18 on the Brown Line tracks between the Rockwell and Francisco stations along the bridge over the Chicago River’s north branch.

 

 

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