CTA’s 2022 Refresh & Renew program work more than 80 percent complete

Oct. 19, 2022

The cyclical station and facility maintenance program will perform $3.5 million in station improvements by the end of 2022.

Mass Transit Staff Report

Lighting upgrades performed as part of CTA's Refresh & Renew program; left shows the platform lighting at Belmont Station before upgrades, while the right side has the new lighting installed.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is reporting that its Refresh & Renew work planned for 2022 is more than 80 percent complete. Refresh & Renew was launched in May 2021 as a way to accelerate CTA’s cyclical station and facility maintenance program to improve both station appearances, as well as the rider experience.

A bench and trashcan at CTA's Ashland Station on the Orange Line after work associated with Refresh & Renew was performed.

In 2022, CTA planned to spend $3.5 million to perform extensive improvements at 30 rail stations and painting and lighting improvements at more than 90 stations. The work performed in 2022 is valued at $2.1 million and among the internal and external improvements made at 23 of 28 rail stations are:

Power washing of entire facility;
Graffiti removal;
Re-painting of painted surfaces;
Converting the entire facility to new, brighter and more efficient LED lighting;
Removal of obstructions from windows for improved natural light and line of sight;
Repair of facility surfaces such as cracked or crumbling concrete;
Replacement of outdated and damaged/faded signage; and more.

“As the Chicago Transit Authority celebrates its 75th year of operation, important and critical investments such as this help ensure that we are good stewards to the communities we serve,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “Not only does routine maintenance help prolong the life of our facilities for decades to come, it also lends the opportunity to make improvements that create a safer transit environment for both our customers and employees.”

By the end of 2022, crews will complete extensive improvements on five stations and finish the remaining 17 (of 92) stations slated to receive $1.4 million in painting and lighting improvements.