Intersection tracks are targeted for improvement by CTA. Source: Wikimedia

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) shortlisted three engineering teams to develop proposals to design and build the first phase of a $2.1 billion project to modernize, improve and increase rail service in the Windy City.

The first phase of a multi-step development plan will rebuild four of the oldest Red Line transit stations (Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr) to make them accessible to people with disabilities, and completely rebuild 1.3 miles of track.

Phase One also includes building a rail bypass to unclog a 100-year-old junction where Red, Purple and Brown Line trains currently intersect. The work is expected to allow CTA to increase the number of trains it can run along the Red Line to reduce overcrowding and meet growing demand for transit service.

The CTA in early December selected three contracting teams that demonstrated an ability to design and build RPM Phase One: Walsh Fluor Design-Build Team, Chicago Rail Constructors and Kiewit Infrastructure Co.

The entire plan will be completed in multiple phases and is intended to rebuild part of CTA’s Red and Purple lines, sections of which are more than a century old. The tracks, structures and stations are well past their useful lifespan, CTA says, and can no longer handle additional trains to meet the increasing demands of growing ridership, which is up 40 percent since 2008 during rush hours.

CTA says it will issue a draft request for proposals (RFP) to invite the potential bidders to submit proposals on how they would design and build Phase One. The proposals will be considered on a variety of criteria, including experience, price and other factors. CTA expects major construction of this project to begin in 2019.