Federal Transit Administration, Chicago Transit Authority, Red and Purple Modernization (RPM)

Burns served as a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Project Management Oversight Contractor for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One project.

One of the largest capital projects in CTA history, RPM Phase One will enhance service reliability, relieve areas of frequent overcrowding, and deliver modernization upgrades. Renovations take place along a 5.6-mile corridor starting north of the Red Line’s Belmont Station and continuing to the Purple Line’s Linden Terminal.

The $2.2-billion project involves:

• The Red-Purple Bypass structure north of Belmont station
• Renovations of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations
• New signaling system between the Howard and Belmont stations
• Rebuilt tracks and support structures for more than a mile adjacent to the stations

Station improvements will achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Upgrades include wider platforms, better lighting, and other amenity improvements.

The Red-Purple Bypass (RPB) will modernize century-old Clark Junction where Red, Purple, and Brown Line trains intersect. By carrying northbound Brown Line trains up and over the Red and Purple Line tracks, the bypass will eliminate the need for passengers to wait as other trains cross.

CTA anticipates the RPB will significantly increase the number of trains that can run along the Red Line, reducing overcrowding and meeting growing demands for transit service.

The RPM Phase One project is anticipated to complete construction in 2025.