Contractor Awarded For Austin Green Line Station Reconstruction

In a wave of continuous improvements, the Chicago Transit Board has awarded the construction contract for the Austin Green Line Station. Located at 351 N Austin Boulevard within the Austin neighborhood, the project comes at a time when the Chicago Transit Authority is working on making all of its stations fully accessible by 2038. The project is being led by the CTA itself although an architect is currently unknown.

Rendering of rebuilt Austin Station via CTA

The original Austin station was opened in 1899 and was rebuilt in 1962, since then not much work has been performed on the aging station as it slowly falls apart. Now as part of the CTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) the station will be completely rebuilt with a new ramp, elevator, escalators, and more along with a platform extension. The work comes not long after the system announced the first phase of its Blue Line reconstruction as well.

Rendering of rebuilt Austin Station via CTA

In order to fit all of the new elements, the actual station house will be partially reconfigured with the whole building being reconstructed. The exterior will feature linear accent lighting, accent planters, new seating areas, and a white and green color scheme with green edges on its cantilever roof. Additional lighting and sidewalk work will also be included in the scope as the neighborhood sees increased traffic.

Rendering of rebuilt Austin Station via CTA

The $25.6 million project will be funded with $20.3 million from the federal government’s Surface Transportation Program along with $5.3 million from the state’s Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. An additional $36 million was also secured for other elevator replacements and modernization work across the system, with 14 elevators being fully funded as well. At the moment no construction timeline is known but the work is to be executed by the John Burns Construction Company.

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