North Red & Purple Line Vision Study

The North Red and Purple Lines Vision Study occurred from 2009 to 2010. This early public participation resulted in over 1,100 public comments that helped shape the Red and Purple Modernization project alternatives proposed for study in a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement.

The Red and Purple Modernization Project is currently going through the Public Scoping process.

The following information is provided as an archival reference...

Study Area

The North Red and Purple Lines Vision study area extends approximately 9.5 miles, from north of Belmont station on the Red Line to Linden terminal on the Purple Line.

Existing Conditions

North Red and Purple Line Corridor (Addison to Linden) was substantially built in 1920’s
1.4 miles of elevated track
7.6 miles of retaining/ballasted track
Most stations are in deteriorated condition, have very narrow platforms and are not accessible
Bridges and retaining walls are deteriorated and costly shoring systems are required at locations to maintain service
Power and signal systems are at end of service life and create service reliability issues

Vision Study Objectives

In order to appropriately address the CTA’s crucial infrastructure needs, the agency will need to develop comprehensive plans for reconstructions. As such, this Vision Study will help to identify and evaluate concepts that would, at a minimum, bring the North Red and Purple Lines to a state of good repair and provide a modern sustainable service for the next century.

The objectives of the Vision Study are to:

Identify feasible options
Initiate Stakeholder Involvement
Identify preliminary environmental constraints
Establish evaluation criteria
Develop preliminary scope of work for selected few options
Develop program level costs for each detailed options

The study identifies program level cost, potential community impacts/benefits, environmental concerns and constructability issues for the CTA North Red and Purple Line corridors.

North Red and Purple Line Public Meetings

CTA hosted four open houses to initiate the Red & Purple Line vision study.

Purpose of Open House

To obtain public input on existing conditions
To obtain public input on existing environmental conditions
To advise public of North Red and Purple Line Vision Study process and time line

Past Meeting Locations and Times

ROGERS PARK
Monday 11/30/2009 6:00-8:30
(Loyola – Howard Red Line)
Location: Loyola Park Fieldhouse
1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626

EDGEWATER
Tuesday 12/1/2009 6:00-8:30
(Berwyn – Granville Red Line)
Location: Emanuel Congregation
5959 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60660

UPTOWN
Wednesday 12/2/2009 6:00-8:30
(Sheridan – Argyle Red Line)
Location: Truman College
1145 W. Wilson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640

EVANSTON
Thursday 12/3/2009 6:00-8:30
(Howard – Linden Purple Line)
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Center
1655 Foster Street
Evanston, IL 60201

All of the above meeting locations were accessible to people with disabilities.

Meeting Display Boards & Glossary

Public Comment

The official comment period has expired. There were three ways to provide comment on the North Red and Purple Line Vision Study:

Verbal and written comments were encouraged at the open houses
Written comments submitted via e-mail to the CTA at [email protected]
Written comments mailed to the CTA at:

CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60661
Attention: Jeff Wilson

You can still submit comments and suggestions using the methods listed above. Your comments are important to us and will be reviewed, but can no longer be incorporated into the Vision Study.