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 | Chicago Union Station | Stations & Passenger Facilities | Rail | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project will support the Amtrak-led effort to complete the Final Design phase work and the eventual construction phase to reconstruct the Chicago Union Station (CUS) Concourse. Metra and Amtrak collaborate to maintain and improve CUS and the facilities within the terminal. Project funds will provide Metra’s local matching funding commitment to Amtrak’s 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 project is in preliminary engineering and working towards the 30% design milestone and the NEPA process is ongoing. Design activities continued during this reporting period.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Substation Improvements (Jackson) | Electrical, Signal & Communications | Rail | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project will fund the replacement and expansion of the Jackson Substation along the Metra Electric (ME) District. The rectifiers are several decades old, difficult to repair due to lack of spare components, and they have long exceeded their useful life. This project is a prerequisite for additional service capacity on the tracks leading into Van Buren St. Station.
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 contractor is working for mobilization to begin in mid-September 2025. The contractor has submitted the trailer location package for final approval and conducted a pre-activity site visit with Metra to review jobsite conditions and potential laydown areas, including space under the Jackson Street Bridge. Discussions are underway with FHP to share nearby laydown space. JBCC confirmed that DOB permits are complete and will be collected once fees are finalized. Coordination with the City of Chicago’s OEMC is ongoing regarding lane closures near McCormick Place, with adjustments requested to avoid conflicts with the Chicago Triathlon. JBCC is also tracking contract submittals; Metra has received the Submittal Log, the Testing and Inspection Log requires resubmission, and the Site Safety Plan has been recorded.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Pace | Purchase 15-passenger Paratransit Vehicles | Rolling Stock | Bus | $2,284,531 | $40,714,447 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Paratransit Vehicles - Pace plans to purchase replacement vehicles (22'-25' cutaway) including associated equipment (cameras, destination signs, etc.) and services (Buy America audit and inspections) for paratransit services.
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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
These buses will service DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will and Cook counties. Pace awarded a new contract in November 2020. The first order was for a quantity of 210 paratransit buses. The final vehicle of the base order was delivered in March 2024. Pace executed a second order of 125 additional vehicles. These vehicles will combine additional paratransit vehicles & vehicles to be used for the community vehicle program. Pace received seven of these 125 vehicles and expects final delivery by the end of 2025.
Last Updated 06.10.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Car and Locomotive Cameras | Rolling Stock | Rail | $2,000,000 | $8,000,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project involves the purchase of a digital video recording (DVR) system. The system will replace the 12-year old, obsolete system currently running on Metra’s rolling stock. The new system will allow for video recording of railroad signal aspects and incidents and includes inward-facing cameras and outward-facing, dual-lens cameras.
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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 new technology allows recording at a faster frame rate and higher resolution, allowing slowing down the recording to less than real time rates without distortion, blurring, or loss of resolution. Currently, the DVR system is being installed by Metra Forces and passenger cameras are being installed by a vendor. All prototype installations were completed with no issues. The full-scale installation began, and kits started delivery in October 2022. In total, 143 cars were completed, and the project is on-going and continuing installation activities.
Last Updated 06.10.2025 |
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| + | CTA | 5000 Series Rail Car Quarter Life Overhaul | Rolling Stock | Rail | $1,899,057 | $1,899,057 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
5000 Series Qtr. Overhaul - 714 Cars - The scope of this project is to provide for the Quarter?Life Overhaul on the 5000?Series rail cars. Schedule maintenance will include major component rebuilds and needed repairs to the car bodies. Additional work may include: replacing control groups, air conditioning units, truck assemblies, including traction motors, cables, batteries, brake calipers, axle assemblies, interior seat modification and other critical components based on condition assessment.
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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
As of the beginning of September, 612 out of 714 cars have completed the overhaul process. CTA continues to receive material kits and overhaul cars. CTA forces decreased the overhaul rate from 14 cars per month down to 8 rail cars per month for the remainder of this project to match previous overhaul rates.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Parking Lot Improvements | Stations & Passenger Facilities | Rail | $1,785,000 | $5,875,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project will fund major parking lot renovations throughout the system. Parking lots have a shorter useful life than stations, therefore, must be overhauled even if the station does not require rehabilitation. Project activities may include but are not limited to, parking surface grinding, asphalt peeling, asphalt resurfacing, blacktop seal coating, patch repairs, new or replacement signage, and the repair or replacement of collection boxes as needed.
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
Activities for the National Street parking lot and the Evanston Main Street parking lot were completed this reporting period. These projects are in closeout and final invoices remain. Additional locations for work are being identified.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Systemwide Cameras | N/A | Rail | $1,340,000 | $1,890,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project consists of adding up to 600 cameras per year throughout the Metra system. Installation on the Rock Island (RI) Line and the Southwest Service (SWS) Line, this project may support up to 1,300 cameras to be installed at all grade crossings and the 23 existing depots on the RI and SWS. Project expenses may including, but are not limited to, cameras and associated wiring and masts. This is a multi-year, phase-funded 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
Camera licenses, security cameras, SD cards, and accessories were purchased, and installation completed. IP cameras and equipment purchases are currently underway and are 27% complete with additional purchase orders being released for additional cameras.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Power Distribution System Monitoring | Electrical, Signal & Communications | Rail | $1,150,000 | $4,650,000 | On Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Replacement of obsolete components of Metra's Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system which monitors the ME power distribution system. The project will reduce equipment failure and downtime and related train delays. The SCADA Upgrade project will upgrade obsolete software and hardware, including three new servers.
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 procurement process continued with purchase requisitions in progress. The RFP for the phased contract is having the specifications updated for upgrading 18 MED Traction Power/Tie substations for SCADA system hardware & software. Once completed, Metra will proceed with the procurement of this RFP.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | 79th St., 87th St, 103rd St. Stations Metra Electric | Stations & Passenger Facilities | Rail | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | Behind Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project funds the complete rehabilitation of the 79th Street, 87th Street and 103rd Street Stations in Chicago along with the Metra Electric (ME) Line. The project scope includes the repair or replacement of aging shelter enclosures, station lighting upgrades, and platform renovation work. Additional project elements may include but are not limited to, sidewalk repairs, upgraded bike facilities, landscape enhancements, bench repairs, and other related work as needed. The station will be made fully ADA accessible upon completion of the 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
To reduce the impact on customers, the work is done in stages so that no more than two of the stations are closed at one time. 79th Street station is the first one to undergo construction followed by 103rd Street station and 87th Street station. The 79th Street Station reached substantial completion in December 2024. The 103rd Street station was substantially completed in February 2025. At 87th Street Station, the contractor continued this reporting period with lighting installation ongoing as well as other electrical and mechanical component installation.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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| + | Metra | Shelters | Stations & Passenger Facilities | Rail | $1,000,000 | $2,240,000 | Behind Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project will fund the installation of shelters at stations across the entire Metra system to provide passengers with climate-controlled waiting space. Multiple project locations will be designed and constructed in bundled packages. Related improvements may be included in the project construction phase such as new pathways, retaining walls, staircases, handrails, accessibility elements, signage, and other minor improvements.
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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
Aluminum shelters continue to be installed throughout the system. As of this reporting period, Western Avenue and Woodstock stations are at 90% design and continuing. Community outreach continues at other locations. Morton Grove, 67th St., 83rd St. are on hold. Procurement packages for the next package of stations are in process.
Last Updated 09.12.2025 |
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