Project Management Oversight (PMO) Capital Projects

Funding will be targeted at preventive maintenance projects for various Infrastructure units such as Track, Structure and Power. When certain maintenance tasks are needed to repair or replace asset components in order to maintain the working life of rail system, specific component campaign work is conducted. Capital maintenance work is targeted at the following areas: Elevated Track and Structure - repair/rehabilitate track and structure elements in order to eliminate slow zones and upgrade the right-of-way along the elevated structure throughout the rail system. Traction Power Substations - program that repairs and upgrades equipment at various traction power substations currently in service. Tactical upgrades correct deficiencies and avoid service reductions due to failure and overload of aging equipment. Third Rail and Heavy Traction Power Cables - Preventive maintenance work is performed where necessary to repair/replace heavy traction power cables that feed the third rail along the tracks currently in service at various locations throughout the rail system. Rail Signal Systems - Program provides for signal equipment repair along the rail right-of-way, signal equipment on rail cars, and the reconstruction of electronic components of the signal system, including relays and circuit boards. As necessary dedicated small renewals and system modifications are also completed. All work is planned/performed to maintain the asset(s) in proper working order through its quarter life cycle, while a more extensive rehabilitation is planned at the mid-life of the asset.

This project provides engineering and construction funds to modernize the A-20 Interlocking near Techny Road in Northbrook on the Milwaukee District North Line. The scope of work includes improving two grade crossings (Shermer and Techny Road), modernizing signals, and improving track between the Morton Grove Station and Deerfield Station. Under this project, work may include adding rail, switches, signals, crossovers, and renewal of track and signal circuits and cables. The project will implement a signal control system that is PTC compatible.

Regional ADA Paratransit Communication Technology and Transfer Locations - Projects include upgrades to the Trapeze software, TripCheck online booking and tracking, TripCheck Interactive Voice Response phone system, text/email notifications, and Ventra integration. In areas with frequent transfers, funding will be used to purchase land, build facilities, and provide amenities for riders. Pace has identified a location that is adjacent to the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg that is planned to be the first of these transfer locations.

This job order will provide for the design/construction of two new elevators at the Montrose Blue Line Station. Further this project will fund replacement of canopies at Montrose station.

Rehabilitate Rail Stations - ASAP (AUSTIN): This project is part of CTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP). The goal of ASAP is to create a vertically accessible rail system within 20 years. ASAP also adds accessibility features to vertically inaccessible stations such as sidewalks and crosswalks, power-assisted doors, accessible fare array, braille and signage, accessible Customer Assistance (CA) kiosks and staff toilet rooms, enhanced lighting as appropriate, and expanded platform clearances for wheelchair maneuverability.This project is to improve the vertical accessibility at the Lake Line Austin station (Austin station). The original street level station opened on April 15, 1899 as a section of the “Lake Street Elevated Railroad’s” surface level extension. The current stationhouse was rebuilt in 1962 as part of the project that moved the western end of the Lake Street line from a street level alignment to an abandoned strip of the parallel “Chicago and Northwestern Railway” embankment. The Lake Line began using this elevated right-of-way on the CN&W (today’s Union Pacific) embankment between Laramie and Harlem on Sunday, October 28, 1962. This station has not been upgraded since it was rebuilt. The Austin station has been identified as a station that is not vertically accessible for all customers and will require the installation of an elevator to serve this center platform configuration. Work on this project will also bring elements of the station up to current Chicago Building Code requirements and meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems emergency egress requirements.

CTA developed the Elevator Replacement Program to strategically maintain existing passenger elevators across the rail system as vertical accessibility is expanded via ASAP. The Elevator Replacement Program will rehabilitate or replace existing passenger elevators throughout the CTA rail system to reduce the backlog of elevator rehabilitation and replacement needs and bring them into a state of good repair. Current funded phase I provides for the replacement of betweenn 16 to 20 elevators and phase II provides for additional 16-20 elevators.

Irving Park and Belmont - O’Hare Blue accessibility enhancments including new elevators.

The new station in the Auburn Park neighborhood of Chicago will feature a platform-length canopy and heated headhouse with two elevators. The station will include a center boarding platform with a staircase down to street level entrance tunnel, a landscaped plaza with benches, canopy, bicycle parking, and a vendor space Metra will lease. A parking lot will include 79 parking stalls, 5 ADA parking spaces, and a passenger drop-off lane. The new station will be fully ADA accessible.

Metra was awarded CMAQ grants for the purchase and installation of bicycle parking facilities at stations across the system. Specific locations are to be determined

Blue Line O'Hare Branch Traction Power Improvements GTT - Project will include targeted track repairs to remove existing slow zones on the Congress Branch of the Blue Line. CTA has identified traction power voltage drop issues along the Blue Line. Scope of work will include but not limited to the following elements: New infill substations, infill wayside energy storage systems, infill tie houses, third rail replacement, addition of auxiliary negative rail; work will be performed by an outside contractor. In addition project will aslo provide for the replacement of ties, track fasteners, footwalks, and incidental signal and traction power; this part of work will be performed by CTA Field Forces.