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Public Transportation Tue Feb 07 2012
CTA Holds Open Houses on Red and Purple Line Modernization
Meetings were held in Chicago and Evanston this week to update the public on the process of renovating a portion of the Red and Purple train lines. This process has been titled the RPM project - Red and Purple Modernization.
This would only affect the section of trains between Belmont and Linden.
There are four proposals being discussed. One plan is to simply rehabilitate the train traces and stops. Another plan is to modernize the system and consolidate some of the stops, bringing the total count of stops on this stretch from 21 to 17. Stations that would be consolidated into others are Jarvis, Thorndale and Lawrence on the Red Line; Foster and South Boulevard on the Purple Line.
"When you talk about consolidation, it doesn't mean losing access," said Rebekah Scheinfeld, from the CTA. "There will be a reconfiguration of exit and entry point."
Another plan is to modernize without removing stations, which would include widening platforms and replacing aging track supports.
The final option is to take no action at all.
Already in progress is a plan to create a Red to Purple Line transfer at the Wilson stop. The CTA also has plans to extend the south end of the Red Line to 130th Street.
The process is still in an early phase. The final Environmental Impact Statement for the RPM project is set to be released in late 2013.
