Project Management Oversight (PMO) Capital Projects
The RTA is responsible for ensuring that the Service Boards are spending capital funds and managing their capital projects effectively and efficiently. The RTA conducts periodic project reviews with Service Board project managers to ensure that capital projects are being implemented according to scope, on schedule, within budget and according to established project management guidelines.
Each project listed below is being actively monitored by RTA’s PMO team. Reporting data is provided that includes, Project Start Date, Project End Date, Budget Status, Schedule Status and Current Activities. These projects are also part of the overall Regional Capital Program which can be viewed separately here.
PMO also produces semi-annual reports that cover all projects that are being monitored. These reports can be found on the Project Management Oversight site. The latest report is the June 2025 Project Management Oversight report.
Search Capital Projects
| Toggle | Agency | Project Title | Asset Category | Mode | 2025 Funding | 2025-2029 Funding | Status | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| + | Metra | Smart Gates | Electrical, Signal & Communications | Rail | $23,500,000 | $25,500,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project involves upgrades to protected grade crossings to improve the safety and reliability of grade crossing protections. Metra has approximately 300 active grade crossings with warning devices. This project will fund upgrades of circuitry at these grade crossings to the latest technology. Metra will install monitors to check the condition of the grade crossing protection system. When a monitor detects an anomaly, the system will send a notice to the back office and dispatch a signal maintainer to perform repairs. PTC Wireless crossings are being added to the scope in 2025 and beyond.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
The construction and software installation on the first 14 crossings has been completed. Metra was selected to receive an FRA Rail Crossing Elimination grant that will fund the installation of additional 36 smart gate crossings with a PAYGO funding local match. Hardware installation started at 4 crossings and equipment installation continues. The software developer continued woroking on the user interface to integrate crossing cameras.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | CTA | All Station Accessibility Program - Elevator Replacement | Stations & Passenger Facilities | Rail | $22,697,462 | $49,797,462 | Behind Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
CTA developed the Elevator Replacement Program to strategically maintain existing passenger elevators across the rail system as vertical accessibility is expanded via ASAP. The Elevator Replacement Program will rehabilitate or replace existing passenger elevators throughout the CTA rail system to reduce the backlog of elevator rehabilitation and replacement needs and bring them into a state of good repair. Current funded phase I provides for the replacement of betweenn 16 to 20 elevators and phase II provides for additional 16-20 elevators.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
The designer completed site assessments and elevator inspections. An assessment report to prioritize the elevator replacement and rehabilitation locations has been developed. The report also provides the scope of work needed for each individual elevator. The designs for the identified locations have been completed. CTA is working on construction bid packages. The first construction bid package for the State Street subway is expected to be advertised in May 2025.
Last Updated 09.11.2025 |
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| + | CTA | Forest Park: Phase 1 - Racine Station and Morgan Substation & Hermitage Traction Power Improvements | Track & Structure | Rail | $20,510,121 | $20,510,121 | Behind Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The CTA's Forest Park Blue Line Upgrades Project is the first of four phases of the Forest Park Branch. This project will provide for new trackwork from Halsted to IMD, an accessible station at Racine, advanced utility work, and a new substation and traction power equipment upgrades at Hermitage. This work will enhance service quality via speed, reliability, and comfort, and improve operational efficiency on the Forest Park Branch of CTA's rapid transit Blue Line service.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
ComEd completed their work on the Racine directional bore drilling equipment pad and the installation of switchgears and transformers for the pad. ComEd also completed the installation of wiring and conduit work in the area and are working on activating the 2nd power feed to Racine. FHP completed the Morgan Substation potholing investigation for directional bore drilling for the sanitary and electrical connections. Construction activities are ongoing.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Pace | River Division Electrification/Expansion | Support Facilities & Equipment | Bus | $20,250,000 | $82,040,000 | Behind Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Renovation of River Division located in Elgin, more than doubling the garage’s current capacity, including office space and installation of charging capabilities for electric buses.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
Pace has entered into a contract for Architectural and Engineering services for pre-design and design services. The contractor completed the pre-design activities, and final pre-design report was submitted to Pace. The adjacent property acquisition has been completed. Pace has completed a Change Order to the design contract to include additional scope for the electrification component. The design activities with the additional scope for electrification are ongoing. During this reporting period, the designer continued progress on the 60% design documents and cost analysis, with completion by late September 2025. Following approval of the 60% design, work will advance to 100% design, targeted for completion in April 2026.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Ties & Ballast MET | Track & Structure | Rail | $14,652,500 | $59,872,794 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
These projects fund capital renewal activities related to maintaining safe conditions along the right of way, including but not limited to the replacement of track ties, the cleaning or replacement of ballast, and the replacement of switch components and heaters. Periodically replacing ties and ballast is necessary to maintain proper track gauge and surface conditions. These projects fund improvements on Metra’s BNSF Line, the Metra Electric District, Milwaukee District, and Rock Island District and related rail yard facilities.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
Major elements for this project includes ironworkers; track, signal and utilities work. All work related to track and structure improvements were completed during this reporting period and final invoices remain. This will be the final update on this project.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Central Warehousing | Support Facilities & Equipment | Rail | $10,925,000 | $20,700,000 | Behind Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Metra acquired an existing warehouse facility to develop a centralized warehouse for materials that support the activities of the commuter railroad system. The central warehouse will combine 4 existing buildings that are overcrowded and create efficiencies by allowing Metra to buy in bigger quantities and lower freight delivery costs. Renovations will continue as part of a multi-year, phase-funded project. The project will create a storage area for capital material purchase for equipment overhaul currently stored outside in yards. Areas of the existing warehouse will be utilized by Metra Police, which may include but are not limited to consolidating the storage of documents and assets, providing space for training functions, and adding new facilities to increase security preparedness.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
The property acquisition, environmental site assessment, interior demolition, parking lot paving, fencing and roof rehabilitation were previously completed. The 30% design on the interior build out of the building was submitted this reporting period and are under review. Once the 30% design is finalized Metra will make a decision whether to move forward with progressing the design to 100%.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | CTA | Replace video system 3200 and 5000-Series railcars | Rolling Stock | Rail | $10,050,000 | $10,150,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Replace the existing video system on the 5000-series rail cars which is obsolete and no longer supported by the vendor. Replace existing video system on the 3200-series rail cars with a more reliable system. Useable components removed from the 3200s will be re-used to support the same system on the 2600-seriese rail cars.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
CTA finalized the procurement process and the contract was awarded to Railhead Corporation. The contractor completed the design and began delivery of pre-production video recorder kits. The installation of the system of the system in the first unit (2 cars) is ongoing. The installation of the remaining preproduction units will continue.
Last Updated 06.10.2025 |
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| + | Pace | Fixed Route Hybrid Buses | Rolling Stock | Bus | $9,600,000 | $9,600,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Replace diesel buses with 35-foot and 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses. This funding will allow Pace to transition to low-emission, cleaner vehicles, while the agency continues facility upgrades to accommodate ZEBs as part of the agency’s goal of operating a 100% ZEB fleet by 2040.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
Pace awarded the contractor for the purchase of the replacement and expansion 40FT hybrid-electric buses in October 2024. Pace finalized the projects delivery schedule with deliveries expected to start in July 2025 and final delivery in November 2025.
The contract was executed in February 2025 for the purchase of thirty-three 35FT hybrid-electric buses. Pace met with the vendor to confirm the production and delivery schedule. The vendor confirmed that production of the buses is scheduled to start in Q1-2026 and final delivery expected in July 2026.
Last Updated 06.10.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Bridge 86 - 78th St Entrance | Track & Structure | Rail | $7,200,000 | $32,635,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Engineering Design, construction, and related services for the replacement of Bridge 86 on the Rock Island (RI) Line will be funded by this project. Bridge 86 dates back to 1916 and spans 78th Street at milepost 8.62 in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood of Chicago. Contemporary construction methods will allow two-track service to be maintained during the bridge replacement. The replacement abutment wall at the south end of the bridge will include ground-floor space for a leasable storefront, a new staircase, and an elevator. The elevator and stairs will provide an accessible pathway from 79th Street to the new Auburn Park station boarding platforms and headhouse. This project is a necessary component of the new Auburn Park station project.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
The designer for the bridge and entrance submitted the 100% design and was reviewed by Metra. Constructability review was completed and revised drawings are still in progress and under review to begin the procurement for construction. The procurement process for the construction manager has been initiated.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | 96th Ave. Bridge | Track & Structure | Rail | $6,655,000 | $6,655,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project funds the replacement of Bridge 275 on Metra’s Rock Island District. The 94-year-old bridge spans over 96th Avenue in Mokena at milepost 27.5.
Capital Evaluation Metrics
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Funding Amounts by Source
PMO:
^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group Current Status
This project is in the final design development phase. The 90% design has been completed, and it is advancing to 100% completion. The permitting process for construction has been started with the Village of Mokena.
Last Updated 06.10.2025 |
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