Red and Purple Modernization Project

The Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Project is a multi-phased reconstruction project coordinated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in the North Side of Chicago, Evanston, and Wilmette.^[1] As part of the broader Red Ahead program, the RPM project plans to replace aging infrastructure on two Chicago "L" branches: the North Side main line north of Belmont station (Red and Purple lines) and the Evanston branch (Purple Line). RPM Phase One was completed on July 20, 2025, which constructed a flying junction between the North Side main line and the Ravenswood branch (Clark Junction)^[2] and rebuilt the main line segment between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr stations.

Red and Purple Modernization Project

Juxtaposition of old embankment tracks (right) and new box-girder tracks (left), taken on Lawrence Avenue in 2023
Red-Purple Bypass construction at Clark Junction in 2022
Location	Chicago–Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.
Proposer	Chicago Transit Authority
Project website	https://www.transitchicago.com/rpm/
Status	Complete (Phase 1) Proposed (other phases)
Type	Rail rapid transit
Cost estimate	$2.1 billion (Phase 1)
Start date	October 2, 2019 (Phase 1)
Completion date	July 20, 2025 (Phase 1)
Stakeholders	Walsh Group (contractor) Fluor Corporation (contractor) Nearby residents

Background

Early history

On May 31, 1900, the Northwestern Elevated Railroad opened the North Side main line from the Loop Elevated to Wilson station.^[3][4] In 1907, the Ravenswood branch opened from the newly built Clark Junction north of Belmont station to Kimball station.^[5][6] In 1908, the main line was extended along an existing at-grade railroad, which was built by the Chicago and Evanston Railroad (C&E), to Central station in Evanston. In 1912, the line was extended to Linden station in Wilmette.^[3][7][8]

From 1908 to 1931, the North Side main line and the Evanston branch were being elevated piecemeal from Wilson to Isabella stations.^[9][10] An embankment was chosen to safely convey heavy C&E freight trains, which ran along the embanked "L" tracks until April 30, 1973.^[11][12] Embankment tracks remained in use for rapid transit service.^[13]

Prior improvements

In 2012, a segment of the North Side main line between Wilson and Jarvis was rehabilitated as part of the $86-million Red North Station Interim Improvements project. Kiewit Infrastructure, the project contractor, received $57.4 million.^[14] Multiple stations except for Wilson, Bryn Mawr, and Loyola were temporarily closed and renovated in six-week phases from June to December 2012.^[9][15] In June 2013, the CTA announced the installation of public artworks in all of the rehabilitated stations.^[16]

In a separate project between 2012 and 2013, Loyola station received a $17-million renovation that included the addition of an adjacent public plaza. Kiewit Infrastructure was also the contractor for the renovation.^[17][18][19]

Before the mid-2010s, Wilson station had an unusual track configuration whereby the southbound express track briefly shifted away from the main line before returning. This shift was originally designed so that the former C&E freight trains can enter or exit the North Side main line.^[11][20] Between 2014 and 2017, the station was entirely reconstructed as part of a $203-million project, which added Purple Line Express service on the station.^[21][22]

Pre-construction

One of the public meetings that took place surrounding the modernization project, January 2011

Clark Junction (top) and Lawrence–Bryn Mawr segment (bottom) prior to RPM construction

Between 2009 and 2010, the CTA conducted the North Red and Purple Line Vision Study on the North Side main line and the Evanston branch from Belmont to Linden stations. On both branches, deteriorating track conditions, old railroad signals, and substandard station designs have contributed to slow zones, limited ADA-accessibility features, and insufficient capacity to accommodate growing ridership. In October 2010, the CTA chose modernization as the locally preferred alternative.^[1][9][23]

In January 2011, the CTA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) began drafting the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the "Red and Purple Modernization Project". From that same month, public meetings on the project were held.^[24][25] During the planning process, several alternatives that were once considered were dropped, such as a new elevated viaduct with one less track and a double-track subway line.^[9]

In November 2013, the CTA applied for the Core Capacity grant from the FTA.^[23][26][27] The transit agency initially received $35 million in August 2014, with more funding contingent on meeting federal requirements like environmental review.^[28]

Earlier in 2014, the CTA made the decision to divide the RPM project into phases.^[23] A new EIS was being drafted for just Phase One (Red-Purple Bypass at Clark Junction and the Lawrence–Bryn Mawr segment),^[9] which concluded in 2015 with two Categorical Exclusions and two Findings of No Significant Impact.^[23]

On November 30, 2016, the Chicago City Council implemented a 36-year tax increment financing (TIF) district around much of the North Side main line for the modernization project. The potential revenue from TIF allowed the CTA to obtain a total of $1.1 billion in federal funding,^[29][30][31] which was realized in January 2017 under a Full-Funding Grant Agreement with the FTA. Federal funding included $956.61 million in Core Capacity grant and $115.73 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant; local funding included $610.06 million from TIF revenue and $384.30 million from CTA sales tax revenue. The overall project cost for Phase One was set to $2.1 billion.^[9][23]

In June 2017, the CTA filed a Request for Qualifications in search of a project contractor.^[32][33] On December 13, 2018, through a $1.2-billion contract, the CTA selected Walsh-Fluor Design Build Team (Walsh Group and Fluor Corporation) as the general contractor for RPM Phase One.^[34][35]

Criticism

The CTA had once considered consolidating closely spaced stations to reduce train travel times. This proposal was dropped as nearby residents and aldermen criticized it as a form of service cuts.^[36]

Residents near Clark Junction criticized the Brown Line flyover, citing the demolition of 16 homes and the flyover being visually imposing. Then-mayoral candidate Chuy García also criticized the flyover as "an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer funds that will generate little return on investment".^[37][38][39]

Phase One

Phase One construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on October 2, 2019. Construction took place around Clark Junction and a section between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr stations.^[40][41][42]

Lawrence to Bryn Mawr

Temporary station facility at Bryn Mawr station, December 2020

Bryn Mawr station platform during Stage B construction, July 2023

In preparation for Stage A in 2021, the CTA constructed interlockings near Montrose and Thorndale avenues in order for trains to switch to a temporary alignment during construction. The CTA also constructed temporary station facilities for Argyle and Bryn Mawr stations;^[43] Lawrence and Berwyn stations were anticipated to be closed throughout two stages of construction.^[44][45] Due to a physically constrained construction area, the new viaduct was to be constructed out of precast segmental box girders using a launching gantry.^[46][47]

Stage A

Stage A began on May 16, 2021, with the closure of Lawrence and Berwyn stations and the opening of temporary station facilities at Argyle and Bryn Mawr stations. Trains were rerouted onto the two westernmost tracks to make way for the replacement of the two easternmost tracks.^{[48][49][50][51]}

Stage B

Stage A construction concluded on July 28, 2023, with the beginning of Stage B. Trains were rerouted onto two newly rebuilt tracks while construction began on the two westernmost tracks. Argyle station was relocated to Foster Avenue and Winona Street; Bryn Mawr station became only accessible to or from 95th-bound Red Line trains. Construction on permanent station facilities at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr stations began.^[52][53]

These permanent facilities opened on July 20, 2025.^[54]

Public space

The replacement of embankment tracks opened up ten blocks of public space below the rail line. In 2024, during construction, the CTA held a series of public meetings on the new public space and its potential amenities.^[55][56][57] The design for the space was finalized in February 2025 with the addition of a footpath, parking spaces, and recreational amenities. Construction on the space is slated to occur from 2026 to 2027.^[58][59][60]

Red-Purple Bypass

Brown Line flyover ramp during its construction, January 2021

The Red-Purple Bypass consists of a 45-foot-high (14 m) Brown Line flyover ramp as well as a straighter alignment for the main line north of Belmont.^[46] The flyover was constructed out of steel plate girders, while the new main line viaduct was largely constructed out of precast prestressed concrete girders.^[61] With the exception of the straddle bent, which spans above the main line, the concrete piers for the flyover have decorative groove marks.^[46]

Construction began in 2019 with the installation of a flyover ramp.^[46] The flyover opened to Brown Line service on the early morning of November 19, 2021.^[62] On March 3, 2022, inspectors reported concrete spalling on the flyover walls as a result of frost weathering.^[63][64][65] Although the structural integrity of the flyover remained intact,^[66] these damages were fully repaired in December 2022.^[67]

In August 2021, the Vautravers Building was moved westward to make way for straightening the main line north of Belmont.^[68][69][70] Construction on the new alignment began in late 2021. The two westernmost tracks were first rebuilt, which reopened to service in December 2023. The two easternmost tracks were then closed for reconstruction until 2025.^[71][72]

Future phases

The CTA is currently studying the rest of the phases surrounding the Evanston branch and the remaining segments of the North Side main line from Addison to Sheridan and from Thorndale to Howard. The RPM Next Phases Study was conducted from 2021 to 2024.^[73] Several public meetings were held: two in March 2023,^[74] one in November 2023, and one in February 2024.^[73]

The project timeline is currently undetermined due to a lack of funding.^[75][76]

See also

• Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project – reconstruction project on the Brown Line in the 2000s
• Red Line Extension – large-scale project on the Red Line as part of the Red Ahead program