The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has reported that the Wilson Station Reconstruction Project is more than 50 percent complete, with the agency beginning the third phase of construction this week. The $203 million project is reconstructing the Wilson station and the station’s more than 100-year-old track structure, creating a new transfer point between the Red and Purple Lines. Phase Three is expected to be completed in early 2017.
“CTA customers who use the Wilson station are already noticing the changes occurring from this remarkable project, which is creating a modern, accessible station in the heart of Chicago’s Uptown that will better serve them and also help generate economic development in the historic neighborhood. The construction continues to make great progress, on time and on budget, and is generating good-paying local jobs,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr.
Phase three of the project includes reconstruction of the third of four tracks, the northbound Red Line track and the related elevated structure that will be rebuilt. This phase also includes the demolition of the old station platform and the construction of a new east island platform that will serve northbound Red and Purple Lines. The two southbound tracks and a new southbound platform opened in March 2016.
Approximately 2,200 feet of elevated tracks, signals and supporting infrastructure will also be relocated and reconstructed, eliminating slow zones and improving service reliability.
The Wilson project is part of more than $5 billion of transit improvements announced by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Projects include building new rail stations and modernizing others, purchasing new buses and rail cars, and continued investments in technology. It is also one of the largest station projects in CTA history.