Fluor Corporation and its joint venture partner, Walsh Construction Company, have achieved Substantial Completion on the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) $2.1 billion Red and Purple Line Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project, marking the largest completed capital project in the transit agency’s history.
The milestone highlights the collaboration between Fluor, Walsh Construction, Stantec (design), Hitachi (signaling) and Meade (electrical contractor), which worked together to modernize one of Chicago’s busiest rail corridors.
“Reaching Substantial Completion on this landmark project is a testament to the strength of our partnerships, the commitment of our teams, and our shared focus on delivering transformational infrastructure,” said Shawn West, President of Fluor’s Infrastructure business.
Construction began in 2019 and included the replacement of more than two miles of century-old elevated track between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr. The project also rebuilt four stations into fully accessible facilities with improved passenger flow, security and signage.
In addition, the team constructed the Red-Purple Bypass, a new elevated track that removes conflicts for the Brown Line and improves service on the Red, Purple and Brown Lines. The project also installed 11 miles of digital track circuit signaling, increasing network capacity and preparing the system for future signaling and train upgrades.
Despite the extensive construction work, the project team maintained rail service throughout the construction period. Moreover, the new stations and tracks opened to passengers during the summer of 2025, while the project remains on schedule for final completion in November 2026.
The RPM Phase One project represents a major investment in Chicago’s public transportation network. It improves accessibility, increases operational efficiency and supports long-term growth across the city’s rail system.
