Congress Line – Phase One, Track Improvements

Comprehensive construction management delivers track improvements that eliminate slow zones for millions of Chicago Transit Authority riders.

The Forest Park Phase 1 Rebuild Project focuses on renewing the track along the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line, particularly on the Forest Park Branch. This branch, located in the middle of the Eisenhower Expressway, connects Chicago’s downtown to its western suburbs. The project involved replacing the track bed, including subgrade and drainage, as well as installing new ties, rail, and special track work, originally constructed in 1958. The renewal spans 15,000 track feet, eliminating 1.5 miles of slow zones between the UIC/Halsted and Illinois Medical District stations.

The Congress Corridor Partners (CCP) joint venture, including Ardmore Roderick, joined mid-design to perform crucial constructability reviews, determining track access requirements for the complex project. Once construction began, CCP took on comprehensive construction management duties, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, managing budgets and schedules, and overseeing 24/7 field operations. The project was successfully completed on time, enabling CTA to resume service in time for the Chicago Marathon.