Red-Purple Moderization

The CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization Project, or RPM, is a massive effort to rebuild and modernize parts of the northern Red and Purple Line. These train lines are some of the oldest in the CTA system—over 100 years old in some places. Because of that, they have aging tracks, old stations, and structures that aren’t fully accessible. The RPM project is all about bringing them up to date so trains can run faster, more reliably, and be easier for everyone to use.

Phase One of the RPM project focuses on the section of track between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr on the Red Line. Four stations—Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr—have been completely rebuilt with new platforms, elevators, and better lighting. In addition to the stations, CTA is replacing the old elevated track structure and building a new section of tracks. This new structure will have fewer columns, which helps traffic below and makes maintenance easier.

A huge part of RPM is the Red-Purple Bypass, sometimes called the "flyover." It’s a brand-new track bridge just north of Belmont that allows northbound Brown Line trains to fly over Red and Purple Line trains instead of waiting to cross in front of them. This helps reduce delays and allows trains to run more often. The bypass opened in 2021, and it's already helping improve train movement.

RPM is being built in phases, and this first phase finished in July of 2025. Later phases will rebuild more of the Red and Purple Lines north of Bryn Mawr. Once it’s all done, riders will have a faster, smoother, and more modern experience—plus, every station rebuilt through RPM will be fully accessible, which means elevators and easier access for everyone.