CTA awards contract for Racine Blue Line renovation

The Chicago Transit Authority recently announced that the Racine Blue Line station is set to receive a major renovation after awarding a $75 million construction contract. As part of the CTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program, the work will make the station fully accessible with the addition of an elevator and other improvements. 

Funded through Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, the Chicago Transit Board approved the awarding of a contract not to exceed $75.4 million to FH Paschen following a competitive procurement process. 

“This is another exciting step forward in our commitment to making the entire CTA rail system fully accessible,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “The CTA has collaborated with Chicago’s disability community to pursue a vision of 100% accessibility for all customers.  Thanks to the funding we received through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, we’re now able to “unlock” one more station and soon provide a fully-accessible transit option for not only this West Side community, but for any of the millions who travel our rail system each year.” 

Originally built in 1958, work at the Racine Blue Line Station will include fully reconstructing the main stationhouse located at 430 S. Racine with the inclusion of a new elevator, as well as significant upgrades to the auxiliary entrance and exit on S. Loomis St. a new ADA-accessible ramp from the station house to the platform will be constructed alongside new stairs and an extension of the platform itself. 

To help improve the reliability of services and as part of larger plans to add additional trains to the Blue Line, the traction power system, which helps provide the power to run trains, will also get upgrades. That work will include a new power substation at Morgan Street, replacement of equipment at the existing Hermitage substation and other electrical work.

Once completed, the Racine station will have clearly defined accessible pathways to and from train platforms, bus stops, and other major modal transfer points. All features along the pathway, such as fare arrays, shelters, benches, and passenger information, will be redesigned to remove barriers and allow for universal accessibility.

Details regarding the timeline of project work, including start and completion dates, have not been announced yet.