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CTA updates board on RPM station openings, substations and DBE progress
Summary
CTA staff told the board four Red‑Purple Modernization stations (Lawrence, Berwyn, Argyle, Bryn Mawr) are nearing completion for a July 20 opening and provided updates on substations, station rehabilitations, and DBE/DVE metrics for RPM Phase 1.
CTA capital construction leaders reported progress across state‑of‑good‑repair and RPM Phase 1 projects on July 9, 2025. Steven Macherry (VP, Capital Construction) and Grace Oz (VP, RPM Construction) summarized substation testing (Damus, Berry, Morgan), station work (Lake/Austin, Racine, Western Brown Line), and Harlem bus bridge construction. They said the Berry substation is undergoing final testing, Morgan substation is being outfitted for transformer equipment, and the bus‑driver bathroom and parapet work at Harlem are progressing.
Grace Oz provided a preview of four new fully accessible RPM stations opening July 20 — Lawrence, Berwyn, Argyle and Bryn Mawr — noting elevators, escalators, new granite finishes, digital signage and widened platforms. She said finishing touches, operator familiarization and signage are underway.
Juan Pablo Prieto reported DVE (diverse vendor) contracting and workforce numbers as of May 31: 122 unique DVE awards totaling about $298 million in design and construction packages for RPM Phase 1; $245 million paid to date (20.81% attainment against a 20% goal). Workforce metrics show over 2,800 unique individuals worked more than 2.5 million labor hours earning over $151 million to date.
Directors asked for safety incident comparisons before and after station openings and recommended trackable metrics to measure safety outcomes. Staff noted tactile platform edges were installed and that final safety design elements are being completed prior to opening.
Next steps: stations scheduled to open July 20; staff will continue outreach, complete finishing work and provide follow‑up updates on safety metrics and DVE/workforce attainment.
