CTA opens Red Line stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr with elevators and escalators and new, original artwork at each station created by renowned local artists
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday joined Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Mike Quigley, CTA and other officials for the official grand opening of the Argyle Red Line station, one of four stations that opened on July 20, 2025, as part of the CTA’s historic $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project.
RPM Phase One is the largest completed transit investment in CTA history, and the opening of four new contiguous stations marks the first time that this many stations have opened simultaneously since the Orange Line in 1993.
RPM rebuilt Red Line stations that were more than a century old into new, fully accessible and modern stations with elevators and escalators. The project has also included full reconstruction of the Red and Purple Line Express track structure and the installation of a new signal system that combined will provide smoother, quieter and more reliable rides for CTA customers.
With these stations, more than 75 percent of CTA rail stations are now accessible to customers with disabilities, and CTA is working toward securing funding and planning to make the rest fully accessible as part of the agency’s ambitious All Stations Accessibility Plan (ASAP).
“Today, I was thrilled to celebrate the opening of four fully accessible CTA Red Line stations,” said Durbin. “Modernizing our transportation infrastructure is critical for connecting Chicagoans to their communities. This historic project will improve the accessibility, safety, and reliability of the CTA, and I'll continue advocating for federal funding that improves the quality of public transit for all Illinoisans.”
“No matter their zip code, all Chicagoans deserve reliable and accessible public transit to get to school, get to work and more easily move throughout Chicagoland,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth said. “As we celebrate the official opening of the newly modernized Argyle Red Line Station—including critical ADA upgrades to support all riders—I’m proud to have helped secure federal support for the vital Red and Purple Modernization project on Chicago’s North Side. I’ll keep working with our federal, state and local leaders to make public transportation more efficient, safe and accessible for all of Chicago.”
“Today’s grand opening of the Argyle, Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, and Lawrence rail stations mean we are full speed ahead towards a new and improved CTA,” said Schakowsky. “These four fully accessible Red Line stations will help make our transit system more equitable and keep our communities connected. The Red and Purple Modernization program demonstrates our commitment to investing in the fundamental infrastructure that gets people to where they need to go in a timely, safe, and affordable manner. This project is a perfect example of what real improvements can be made when federal and local dollars come together. All aboard! Next stop, a modernized CTA.”
“I was proud to take part in the grand opening of four newly renovated Red Line stations and to have helped secure the funding for their modernization. Every Chicagoan deserves access to safe, reliable transportation. The four stations we opened today take us one step closer to achieving that reality,” said Rep. Mike Quigley. “This project is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when federal, state, and local governments all work together. I am committed to continuing to champion opportunities like this and fight against efforts in Washington to cut transportation funding.”
“Chicago residents and working families now have even more convenient and reliable transit to better connect them to work, school and family, which increases the vitality of our City,” said Mayor Johnson. “I am proud to support transit investments like the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Project and eager to continue this good work by building the long-awaited Red Line Extension Project on the Far South Side."
“It was absolutely thrilling to join Mayor Johnson and the other elected officials, dignitaries and community members in attendance today as we cut the ribbon to officially celebrate the opening of four new, fully accessible Red Line stations for our riders,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “Replacing stations that were built more than 100 years ago with four bright, welcoming and accessible public transit gateways that everyone can use and enjoy is especially gratifying during Disability Pride Month. I want to thank Sens. Durbin and Duckworth and the rest of the Illinois Congressional delegation for their support of RPM and for helping CTA continue its mission to make its entire rail system accessible to all.”
Station amenities include:
- Larger stations with modern amenities
- ADA accessibility, escalators, elevators and wider platforms
- Better lighting and security features
- Real-time information boards
- Smoother, more reliable train service
- Decrease in overcrowding on the trains and platforms
- A brighter, cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing pedestrian environment
- Original artwork at each station
The new elevated track structure and signal system work includes new track, support structures, bridges, and viaducts built along the 1.3-mile Lawrence to Bryn Mawr corridor, replacing century-old, deteriorated structures:
- The new track bridge’s design provides improved sightlines for pedestrians and vehicles at cross streets under new viaducts with the elimination of columns in the middle of the street.
- The new elevated structure is constructed higher to meet modern clearance standards.
- The new signal system provides more reliable train service and replaces a more than 60-year-old system
RPM Station artwork
Featuring eye-catching, colorful designs that reflect the local neighborhoods around the stations, unique works of art were created for each of the new Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations by five award-winning artists hired by CTA following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The new artwork is an expansion of CTA’s growing artwork collection that enhances the overall transit experience and adds unique elements representative of the communities CTA serves.
Lawrence main stationhouse
The Theater of Life, smalti-glass mosaic for station corridor wall, and The Ties That Bind, art-glass installation for elevator surround
Artist: Tom Torluemke, Dyer, Indiana
Argyle main stationhouse
Argyle-O-Rama, sheet metal with baked ceramic surface for station corridor wall
Artist: Mayumi Lake, Chicago
“Argyle-O-Rama” sheet metal with baked ceramic surface, left; “Argyle-O-Rama” featured in stationhouse, right
Berwyn main stationhouse
Edgewater Mélange (west); Edgewater Mélange (east), Smalti-mosaic framed by cast ceramic elements for station corridor walls
Artist: David Lozano, Chicago
“Edgewater Mélange; Edgewater Mélange” smalti-mosaic framed by cast ceramic elements, mosaic #1, left; mosaic #2, right
Bryn Mawr main stationhouse
Today, architectural glass installation for elevator surround and Today, smalti-mosaic for station corridor wall
Artist: William Conger, Chicago
Today, architectural glass wall mosaic, left; Today, smalti-mosaic around elevator, middle, right
Bryn Mawr - Hollywood auxiliary entrance
Avian Listening, art-glass installations; Lake Calls (elevator surround), Prairie Calls (corridor wall), Nocturnal Night Calls (elevator surround)
Artist: Alice Hargrave, Chicago
Lake Calls, art-glass stairway
Prairie Calls, art-glass corridor wall
Nocturnal Night Calls, art-glass around elevator
RPM Phase One Overview
RPM Phase One Project construction began in 2019 and includes three major components:
- Reconstruction of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations into larger, fully accessible stations; and replacement of track structure totaling six track-miles.
- New Red-Purple Bypass construction (completed in 2021) and the reconstruction of Red and Purple Line track structure between Belmont and Newport/Cornelia.
- Installation of a new signal system on 23 track miles between Howard and Belmont that, similar to roadway traffic signals, will improve train flow and service reliability.
Public Space Under the ‘L’ Tracks
Another part of the Phase One Project is the development of open space located under the new Red and Purple Line tracks following the demolition of 1.3 miles of century-old, concrete embankment wall:
- CTA plans to develop 10 blocks of open space located under the new Red and Purple Line tracks between Lawrence and Ardmore avenues based on input from the community.
- The open space design plans include a pedestrian trail, dog parks, playground, fitness area, benches, and flexible-use plaza space for community events.
- Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027.
The Red Line and RPM
The CTA’s Red Line is CTA’s busiest rail line, providing nearly 40 million rides in 2024. CTA is completing Phase One of the multi-phase RPM Program, which will rebuild the 9.6-mile stretch of Red and Purple Line track structure and stations on the North Side that are a century old. RPM will replace aging infrastructure; increase CTA’s capacity to increase train service as needed; and improve our service for customers with more reliable, comfortable service. Learn more about RPM at transitchicago.com/RPM.
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