Chicago Transit Authority Loop Renewal

Project Highlights

• Replaced more than 2-miles of tangent track
• Replaced a double crossover
• Replaced 1,000 track feet of full-restrained curve track
• Replaced the grand union at Tower 18

RailWorks completed multiple track upgrades for the Chicago Transit Authority Loop Renewal Project on a stretch of the rapid transit system in Chicago's downtown Financial District.

RailWorks Track Services rehabilitated part of The Loop bounded by Wells (on the west) and Van Buren (on the south) streets.

The contract for the Chicago Transit Authority Loop Renewal Project called for replacement of all track, turnouts and grand union switches for track items, replacement of all signals and communication as well as third rail on the entire structure along Wells Street and Van Buren Street. Workers replaced more than 2-miles of tangent track, a double crossover, 1,000 track feet of full-restrained curve track and the Grand Union at Tower 18.

Crews started in the spring of 2012 and completed the work over weekends. They utilized 52-hour outages opposite festivals, professional sporting events and other heavy-transit weekends.

Unique Features