Congress Line – Racine Station ADA and Traction Power Improvements – Cook County, Illinois

As part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s ongoing improvement program on the Congress Branch of the Blue Line, DB Sterlin provided civil and structural engineering expertise to support ADA upgrades and traction power improvements at multiple stations. The project included major track renewal, renovation of Racine Station, reconstruction of the Loomis Stationhouse, and construction of a new substation at Morgan Street.

Civil and Structural Engineering Leadership
DB Sterlin served as the civil utility design lead and provided structural engineering for various elements of three new CTA structures. Responsibilities included utility design and coordination for the Racine Stationhouse, Loomis Stationhouse, and Morgan Substation. This included three sanitary sewer connections/force main connections, three electric service connections directionally bored under I-290, and three water service connections. All utility coordination and permitting were managed with CTA, the City of Chicago, and the Illinois Department of Transportation, including coordination with the City of Chicago Office of Underground Coordination (OUC).

The team also performed value engineering for the sanitary sewer design, evaluated lift station alternatives, and considered optimal locations for electrical equipment pads at the Morgan substation. Structural engineering tasks included platform repairs, structural analysis, and design of new reinforced concrete ramps and platform extensions to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) planning ensured safe and efficient work within active station environments.

Improving Accessibility and Power Reliability
The Racine Stationhouse was reconstructed to include a new elevator, stairs, platform extension, and ADA-accessible ramp at the Loomis entrance. The Loomis Stationhouse also received major upgrades. Traction power improvements included the new Morgan Street substation and in-kind upgrades at the existing Hermitage substation. Modifications to overpass bridge structures at Loomis, Racine, and Morgan required careful coordination with CDOT and IDOT to maintain safety and compliance.

Supporting Safe and Efficient Transit
Through a combination of utility design and coordination, ADA ramp design, maintenance of traffic planning, permitting coordination, value engineering, structural analysis and design, and OUC coordination, DB Sterlin ensured that the project enhanced accessibility, improved traction power reliability, and supported long-term safe operation of the Congress Branch. These improvements provide safer, more accessible, and more efficient transit options for CTA riders.