Red & Purple Modernization
The Red Purple Modernization (RPM) project is part of CTA’s Red Ahead program, a comprehensive initiative for maintaining, modernizing and expanding Chicago’s most-traveled rail line. The RPM corridor stretches along the existing Red and Purple lines from north of Belmont station to the Linden station. Improvements made along this area would help bring the existing transit line into a state of good repair, reduce travel times, improve access to job markets and destinations, and provide improved access to people with disabilities. A number of alternatives are under consideration for the RPM project, including the comprehensive reconstruction of track, stations, and structures along the line.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), CTA, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have initiated the environmental review process for this project and will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).An EIS compares the positive and negative environmental effects of the various alternatives for the project.
Public and agency input is important throughout all phases of project development. This site will keep you informed about the proposed project, the planning process, and opportunities for public input and participation.
What’s New?
CTA is currently studying four possible alternatives for the RPM project, and will provide community updates on the progress of those studies in late 2012/2013.
In 2011, CTA conducted a scoping process which included a public meetings and a comment period. The purpose of this scoping process was to ask agencies and interested parties to provide input on the proposed alternatives, the purpose and need for the project, the proposed topics of evaluation and potential effects and mitigation measures to be considered.
During the scoping process CTA presented six alternatives as part of the RPM project. Based on public input, CTA is no longer studying three of those alternatives, and has since added another alternative, which studies the effects of Modernization without station consolidation.
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RPM Alternative Transition
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Former Name
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Current EIS Name
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No Action
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No Action
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Basic Rehabilitation
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No Longer Considered
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Basic Rehabilitation with Transfer Stations
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becomes
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Basic Rehabilitation
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Modernization 4-Track
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becomes
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Modernization
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Modernization 3-Track
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No Longer Considered
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Modernization 2-Track Underground
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No Longer Considered
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NEW ALTERNATIVE
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becomes
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Modernization without Consolidation
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All current EIS alternatives include four tracks from Belmont to Howard
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For the two Modernization alternatives, a Brown Line flyover at Clark Junction (just north of Belmont) is also being considered. This flyover would reduce travel time for riders by allowing Brown Line trains to cross above the Red and Purple Line tracks.
The Wilson station is no longer part of this project. It will be reconstructed prior to RPM improvements.
Learn more about the alternatives here.
February Open Houses
CTA hosted two open houses on North Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) project. The first open house meeting was in Evanston on February 6 and the second one was in Chicago on February 7, 2012.
Below are the meeting materials from the February 2012 open houses: