CTA targets 29 stations for sprucing up in 2023 ‘Refresh & Renew’ Program

April 7, 2023

The program is designed to keep stations in a state of good repair and improve the transit environment for both employees and riders.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Before and after: The LaSalle-Van Buren station in Chicago before CTA crews performed work associated with the authority's Refresh & Renew Program and after.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will perform repairs and improvements at 29 rail stations as part of its cyclical Refresh & Renew Program. The program was created in 2019 and accelerated in 2021 with CTA performing work at 125 stations, followed by 28 stations in 2022.

CTA's Refresh & Renew Program includes work to keep rail stations in a State of Good Repair. Program work includes lighting improvements as shown at CTA's California Green Line station.

The planned $6.5 million in work will occur at stations located on all seven of CTA’s rail lines, as well as two stations on the elevated loop portion of the network. Work can be cosmetic, such as painting and replacing sheet metal or damaged signage, upgrading lighting, cleaning and repairing surfaces (including columns, walls and railings). More comprehensive improvements include concrete repairs, removal of outdated fixtures and equipment, utility repairs and plumbing repairs.

“We are committed to providing our customers and employees with a safe and comfortable transit environment, and the Refresh & Renew program is a vital tool in helping us deliver on that promise,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “In addition to performing small cosmetic repairs, we’re also working to provide a safer transit environment by proactively addressing some of the larger issues before they arise.”

In addition to the repair work, CTA says it recently launched its seasonal power washing teams that are deployed in the spring and fall to scrub and power washing the surfaces of CTA’s 145 rail stations during overnight hours as part of the agency’s routine cleaning efforts.

29 rail stations in the 2023 Refresh & Renew Program

The 29 CTA rail stations scheduled to receive improvements under the 2023 Refresh & Renew program include:

Red Line: Sox-35th, Howard, Sheridan, Addison, Clark/Division
Blue Line: Jefferson Park, Irving Park, Belmont, Logan Square, Division, Monroe
Green Line: Laramie, Cicero, Indiana, 35th-Bronzeville-IIT
Brown Line: Armitage, Chicago, Francisco, Montrose, Irving Park, Addison
Orange Line: 35th/Archer, Halsted
Pink Line: 54th/Cermak, Pulaski
Purple: Linden, Main St.
Loop Elevated: Merchandise Mart, Washington/Wells

Prior to starting work at a location, CTA says its crews will perform an initial and thorough inspection of the location to identify any behind the scenes or customer-facing items that need repair and/or replacement – either immediately or in the near term.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.