RPM Phase One Project overview: 2021
Better CTA service is coming! We've broken ground on the transformational Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project, with work beginning on a key component of RPM, the Red-Purple Bypass north of Belmont station. The bypass will allow for more trains, less congestion and a less cramped commute to work. We have also begun preparatory work for the Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization project, another major part of RPM Phase One.
The modernization project has many steps, and it is important to know when and how you or your business may be affected. Sign up for construction impact alerts in your community here. Click here for Construction Activity Notices related to this project.
Red-Purple Bypass, four-week project lookahead, April 23, 2021
Lawrence to Bryn Mawr, four-week project lookahead, April 29, 2021
Red-Purple Bypass
We broke ground on the Red-Purple Bypass bridge in October 2019. The bypass will be completed in 2021 and will carry Kimball-bound Brown Line trains over Red and Purple Line tracks north of Belmont, easing train congestion and improving service for our customers.
After we finish the bypass, we will begin rebuilding the century-old Red and Purple Line tracks underneath the bypass, between Belmont and between Cornelia and Newport. The new Purple and Red Line tracks are expected be completed by the end of 2024, providing a smoother and more comfortable ride for our customers. See the latest construction activity notices by clicking here.
Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization
We will begin new station and track reconstruction between Lawrence to Bryn Mawr in Spring 2021. Ahead of that, there was plenty of work under way in 2020 to get ready for this historic project.
In 2020, preparatory activities included:
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Building temporary rail stations at Argyle and Bryn Mawr to serve customers while Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr are being reconstructed. We will close Lawrence and Berwyn and open the temporary stations at Argyle and Bryn Mawr in Spring 2021, and we will provide the community and customers with plenty of notice in advance of the closures.
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Performing track improvement work that prepares our Red and Purple Line tracks to run service on two train tracks while we’re rebuilding the other two (2021-2024), as part of our promise to continue to provide train service during the entire construction period.
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Holding virtual meetings in Spring 2021 with the public on what work is coming and when, and getting your feedback and answer your questions.
Beginning in Spring 2021, activities will include the demolition of stations, track bridges and structure and partial embankment; construction of new track foundations; and the construction of the new bridge via
a gantry system.
See the latest construction activity notices by clicking
here.
Advance utility relocation work and property demolition
In 2018, we began the pre-construction phase of Red and Purple Line Modernization (RPM) Phase One, which included property demolition and relocation of utility lines and equipment. It was necessary to complete this work before we could begin major construction of RPM Phase One work, which will include rebuilding four Red Line stations (Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr and adjacent track structure as well as constructing a new Red-Purple Bypass (RPB) north of Belmont station. The major construction work for Phase One began October 2019 and will be fully completed in 2025.
We expect to substantially complete advance utility relocation work in early 2021. Property demolition work was substantially completed in 2019.
Construction activity notices (CANs)
As we work hard to modernize the system for our riders, we know that our construction can and does affect people who live and work nearby. This is why we provide advanced notice to communities in the RPM project footprint about work that we will be doing. Construction Activity Notices (CANs) that we have issued for RPM Phase One work can be found here (scroll down the page). They are also emailed to affected residents and businesses and physically posted in work site areas.