Regional Capital Program

The project includes various priority trackwork on the Blue Line Congress branch.

This project will replace rails, bars, plates, and address causes of water infiltration in Dearborn Subway between LaSalle and south portal.

This project will replace DC breakers in Sacramento, Franklin, and Nagle Substations. This DC breaker replacement may require some changes to the organization of other equipment inside the substation.

Green & Pink Line West - Track Improvements (GTT) Tower 18 to the Paulina Connector- Preserve the integrity of Lake St Elevated tracks through replacement of ties, fasteners, footwalks, improved curve geometry, and rail grinding as well as replacing the top flange as necessary.

This project includes removing and replacing existing rail in the Nagle Curve area on the O’Hare Branch of the Blue Line. Project replaces the existing rail with new continuous welded rail at Nagle Curve. The new rail will be set into the existing plates with 100% replacement of double studded pads, heavy duty insulators, and pandrol e-clips. Work also includes a track survey to record the track geometry (profile, alignment, cross level and gauge), clearances, and the location of the track.

Red & Blue Line Subway - Track Improvements (GTT) - Dearborn Subway Water Management and Track Improvements - This is a targeted project to replace assets that have been deteriorated by water infiltration. Work includes replace select rail, rail fasteners and direct fixation concrete ties, grind 100% of the running rail, and select drainage improvements

Subway Waterproofing & Track - Funding will provide for critical waterproofing patchwork needed to continue rail service through the Blue Line O'Hare branch.. Due to funding restrictions CTA cannot move forward with original scope of work to mitigate water infiltration in the Dearborn subway.

CTA utilizes an exposed third rail system to provide power to trains on all revenue and non-revenue tracks. The third rail is typically installed on insulator chairs spaced eight feet apart just outside one of the running rails. CTA's rail cars utilize a “gravity shoe” to collect 600 Volts DC from the top surface of the third rail. In station areas, the third rail is typically located on the opposite side of the track from the station platform – this provides some level of protection from a person falling off the platform and coming in contact with the electrified third rail. Unfortunately, there are incidences when a passenger falls off the platform with sufficient momentum to reach the far side of the track and make contact with the third rail. This proposed project will add additional safety features on the third rail in the vicinity of station platforms.Funding will provide for two technologies: the Third Rail Isolation System and the Third Rail Side Guards (sideboards).The first feature is a safety feature proposed to include the isolation of the third rail through the stations such that when no train is approaching or present at the station, the third rail would be de-energized. This additional feature would include a control device to energize the third rail in the station, and by-pass cables to carry current around the station to feed the third rail outside the station.The second feature would include non-conductive side boards on both sides of the third rail which would reduce the likelihood of a person making contact with the rail. The sideboards would also provide an opportunity to apply warning labels directly on the third rail so as to better direct passengers to the hazard posed by this element. The sideboards would also provide a layer of protection for CTA employees that are required to walk alongside the third rail during maintenance activities.