A joint venture of Walsh Construction and Irving, Texas-based Fluor Corporation have been selected as the preferred partner to design and build Phase One of the Red and Purple Line Modernization Program for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The $2.1 billion project will be the largest capital project in CTA’s history, ultimately resulting in expanded capacity and improved infrastructure along the region’s most used rail lines.
“Public transportation is essential to Chicagoans and their way of life,” said Matthew Walsh, co-chairman of Walsh Construction, “We are proud to play a leading role in modernizing this vital section of infrastructure on the northside of Chicago that will benefit commuters for the next 60 to 80 years.”
Walsh and Fluor will work alongside designer Stantec Consulting Services, as well as major subconsultant designers EXP, International Bridge Technologies (part of Systra) and TranSmart, to bring decades of industry megaproject and transit experience to this massive program. The project will deliver state-of-the-art services, improved quality, safety and reliability, as well as an upgraded customer experience to the users of the Red and Purple Lines.
“Fluor is pleased to have been selected by the CTA to deliver this massive project on the nearly century-old Red and Purple Lines,” said Terence Easton, president of Fluor’s infrastructure business. “When complete, this project will help build prosperity and empower progress for the region as well as improve transit for the citizens of Chicago.”
The project will upgrade 3.2 miles of the signal system and calls for designing and constructing new elevated tracks along a 1.9-mile section including new bridges, support structures and existing tracks. Once completed, the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations will have all been rebuilt
A Red-Purple Bypass will modernize the century-old Clark Junction where the Red, Purple and Brown Line trains currently intersect at the same grade. The fly-over bypass structure will eliminate train congestion by allowing eight more Red Line trains per hour during rush periods, accommodating up to 7,200 additional customers per hour during rush periods and increasing Red and Purple line train speeds through the intersection.
The project will begin in the first quarter of 2019 and is scheduled to be completed in early 2025.