July 19, 2023
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently awarded a $15.3M construction contract to John Burns Construction Company for the major renovation of the Austin Green Line Station as part of its All Stations Accessible Program (ASAP), which Epstein provided architecture and civil, MEP and structural engineering design services. The improvements include the addition of an elevator, new ADA accessible ramp, new stairs and an extended platform to make the station fully accessible.
Funding for this vital infrastructure project was culled from the federal government’s Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. STP funds provided $20.3M in funding while Rebuild Illinois provided $5.3M for a total budget of $25.6M.
“The CTA has made it a priority to collaborate with the disability community to pursue a vision of 100 percent accessibility for all customers,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “Awarding this contract for the Austin Green Line, we are able to take another step forward to realize the goal of making all stations 100 percent accessible while also seeking opportunities to invest in the Austin community on our city’s West Side.”
ASAP aims to make all CTA rail stations fully accessible by 2038.