# CTA Red and Purple Modernization Project Argyle Station Grand Opening 7.21.25

- Date: July 21, 2025
- Type: Video
- Length: 1:01:34
- Topic: Openings and groundbreakings
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzicRqWICuo)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 8,299 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/TzicRqWICuo.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=0) Opening remarks
- [4:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=267) CTA vision and progress
- [10:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=645) Economic impact and success
- [14:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=868) Tributes to partners
- [16:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=978) Mayor's perspective
- [21:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1264) Federal advocacy
- [24:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1493) Congresswoman's address
- [27:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1623) Infrastructure challenges
- [29:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1778) State level vision
- [34:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2049) Community impact
- [40:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2412) Local leadership
- [46:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2801) Advocacy for the future
- [51:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3097) Project completion

## Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the CTA Red and Purple Modernization Project Argyle Station Grand Openin

## Transcript

[0:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=22) on this early Monday morning especially during rush hour. My name is Michelle Lee and I serve on the board of directors here at the CTA. Our board chair and the other directors couldn't be here today but it's my absolute pleasure to say a few words on their behalf. Let's be honest there's a lot going on in this world not all of it's good but we have to celebrate

[0:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=56) the good things. We have to lean in, and today is a good day. It is with immense pride that I get to celebrate, here with you, the completion of this historic and much-needed project. Of course, I'm talking about these shiny new, fully accessible red line stations. Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr are now fully accessible, complete with elevators and escalators.

[1:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=97) Yeah, I know. Accessibility is deeply personal for me. The CTA is my go-to for getting around, and I usually take the bus. But that's going to change, because now we've got more stations, y'all. These four stations open up a whole new part of the city for not just me, but people in the community who rely on mobility devices, strollers, carts, luggage. We can all now check out these stations, these neighborhoods. Enjoy the bakeries, enjoy the food, y'all.

[2:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=129) And no more carrying your baby stroller up and down the stairs. Yeah. I think it's particularly fitting that we're gathered here today during Disability Pride Month. This July marks 35 years since the passing of the ADA, or the Americans with Disabilities Act. And as we honor how far we've come, we also face the truth of how far we have to go. Out of 146 stations, 104 are accessible.

[2:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=162) We've got a long ways to go. The CTA and this board are fully committed to making our transit system 100% accessible. with the All Stations Accessibility Plan. And as we face this fiscal cliff, you know, that thing, that plan is in jeopardy. I urge you, if you care about accessible transit, please talk to your elected officials, or if you're a state official yourself, please fund transit.

[3:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=194) And finally, thank you, and finally, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to so many people who've put this together over so many years, before my time even. All the workers, all the construction workers, all the painters, all the engineers, all the staff. It's a lot who've worked on this project. But most also, it goes without saying, thank you to the members of the Federal Transit Authority,

[3:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=226) Transit Administration, the U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and the rest of the Illinois congressional delegation, all their people, mayor. It takes a village, y'all, to get this done. All of this incredible support for the red-purple modernization project has made all of this possible. This collaborative effort has put us one step closer to a truly equitable and accessible transit future. And without further ado, all aboard, y'all. All aboard. Now I'm going to turn it over to Acting and

[4:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=265) CTA President, Nora Learson. Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the grand opening celebration for not one, but four new Chicago Transit Authority rail stations. A tremendous accomplishment, completed as part of CTA's red and purple modernization phase one Project, known to so many of us simply as RPM.

[5:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=300) I'm Nora Learson, Acting President of the Chicago Transit Authority, and I am so grateful to all of you for joining us this morning for this wonderful occasion. Before we begin, I want to acknowledge the presence of some of the esteemed elected officials with us here today, dignitaries and valuable community leaders as well. Thank you for being here, Mayor Brandon Johnson.

[5:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=351) Kelly Berkins, FTA Region 5 Administrator. Mayor's Office of Disabilities Commissioner Rachel Arfa. Karen Tamley, President and CEO of Access Living. Walsh Group Chairman Dan Walsh. And Chicago artist Mayumi Lake, who created the gorgeous station art inside the Main Station House here at Argyle. Thank you all for being here today.

[6:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=381) The CTA is an absolutely iconic part of the fabric of our great city. Each day, rail stations like the four that we are celebrating today serve as more than just points of entry and exit for train service. They are nothing short of gateways to opportunity, fulfillment, and freedom. Where job seekers enter and later return home as new hires. where students enter year after year and one day return home as graduates and where so many of us enter to go and experience the majesty of Chicago

[6:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=416) and return home forever changed by those experiences. There is no place on earth like Chicago and CTA has the privilege of playing a role in all of our riders' lives. At CTA, we are proud that we so frequently play a prominent role in making Chicago history, and today is no exception. This station on Argyle Street replaces its predecessor station built 104 years ago in 1921.

[7:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=446) That was the same year that the Field Museum opened on Lakeshore Drive and Warren Harding was president. The elevated track above us replaced tracks that were built in 1908 when the Cubs won the World Series for the first time. without question the project has been long overdue and long in the making and today we fulfill the promise of brighter better modern stations for all of our customers as you may be aware july is disability pride month and it is fitting that in this month we are celebrating

[8:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=480) that these modern fully accessible stations at lawrence argyle berwin and bridmar feature elevators and escalators. For the first time ever in the history of this neighborhood, these stations can now be accessed smoothly by all. A true achievement in what is right and what is just. Opening these stations we move closer to our goal of having 100% of rail stations ADA accessible and we are

[8:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=513) proud that this is a particularly active year at CTA on this front. In March we broke ground on the Austin Green Line Accessibility Project and later this year we will reopen the newly reconstructed Racine Blue Line station on the Forest Park branch. And this is all to be followed by breaking ground on our Red Line Extension project, which will extend this line, our busiest line, with four additional accessible stations to 130th Street. All of this is made possible by legislative champions for accessibility,

[9:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=550) like Senator Tammy Duckworth, whose efforts also got us to where we are today. These four new inviting stations we celebrate today will serve as centerpieces in the Edgewater and uptown communities with attractive designs, stunning, unique artwork installed with community input, and easy connections to amazing local businesses. But that's just the start. the improvements we've made include, to name a few, quieter tracks with special noise walls, which among many benefits allow pedestrians to actually have a conversation underneath the L,

[9:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=587) an increased capacity to provide more frequent and reliable service, more lighting and improved visibility, longer and wider canopies on platforms for better weather protection, and state-of-the-art 55-inch digital customer information screens being used for the first time at CTA, which will make commuting easier, and of particular note, will for the first time display elevator statuses in a digital format for customers. Yet another accessibility improvement, and one that is moving forward with the advocacy of our CTA board director, Michelle Lee,

[10:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=622) who has been focused on moving CTA forward in this important communications effort. If you've been inside already, you know these stations are breathtaking. They are each a majestic example of what CTA can do with the right resources, and we stand ready to move forward on continued modernization of our entire system. When we began RPM, we set the bar the highest it had ever been for making an impact through this project on the communities across the city through employment and business opportunities.

[10:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=656) We required that a minimum number of labor hours be performed by pre-apprentices so that new individuals could be brought into the construction field and learn skills and gain experience that would enable them to support them and their families. And this work has paid off. Over the course of this project, 187 small businesses that became certified as disadvantaged business enterprises have been paid more than $440 million for their work on RPM.

[11:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=689) People who qualified for workforce assistance programs earned nearly $156 million in wages while gaining valuable training and apprenticeships. Though this project is now nearing its end, the futures for these bright, hardworking individuals and business owners are taking off. And to celebrate this work, I will briefly highlight two of these incredible stories. Richard and Jackie. Richard Eitz of REA Masonry is a great example of someone who has benefited from this project.

[12:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=720) His team performed the beautiful glazed brick masonry at the four new redline stations. Richard was a bricklayer who decided to open his own shop and participated in the CTA Small Business Education Series and won a small contract on the CTA Garfield Greenline Project in 2018. This is where he made his connection with Walsh Construction, After that contract, Richard was awarded two contracts on the RPN project for work on the temporary redline stations and then for the masonry on the new stations.

[12:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=752) When Richard ran into obstacles with the work of the permanent brick, he sought out guidance and assistance from his mentors as well as the Walsh floor representatives. Richard's openness to being a continual learner and always looking to his neighbors and community to help provide opportunities for meaningful work helps him stand out as a great representation of the spirit of all goals CTA assigns to their contracts. Jackie McWright has been working for Walsh Floor on RPM and is now putting her experience to use by starting her own business,

[13:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=785) providing staff to serve as safety flaggers for projects. Jackie always puts the safety of pedestrians, CTA customers, and workers first every day that she is on the job. and she has become a fixture in the RPM communities. Through mentorship and programming sponsored by CTA, Jackie is in the process of negotiating a contract for some of the remaining work in the scope of flagging service, and we are excited to see where she goes next. Congratulations, Richard and Jackie, and thank you for your great work

[13:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=817) and the success on the RPM project. Jackie is also a reminder of the incredible story of women on this project. In fact, throughout the life of this project work, RPM has become known for the influence of women from the trades and in leadership positions. And we are especially proud of this here at CTA.

[14:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=847) In fact, in 2023, the Women's Transportation Seminar awarded the RPM team the Innovative Transportation Solutions Award, highlighting the work done by female project managers on the team. Congratulations, everyone. In closing, I'd like to thank the Illinois Congressional Delegation for their constant support of CTA and public transit. And I would especially like to highlight Senator Durbin's creation of the Core Capacity Program, which made RPM possible.

[14:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=886) Also, the Federal Transit Administration, including Regional Director Kelly Brookins, who joins us here today, and her dedicated staff. We appreciate the work, partnership, and involvement of Alderpersons Clay and Manna Hoppenworth, their staff and their predecessors. We're thankful for the work and support from the Mayor's Office for the People with Disabilities, CTA's ADA Advisory Committee, Access Living, and Chicago Lighthouse. To the Mayor, we are so grateful for your vision of accessibility and access for all

[15:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=918) and for the City's support of CTA's projects. We also appreciate the support of the Edgewater and Uptown Chambers of Commerce and Neighborhood Block Clubs we continue to work with. As the leader of this great agency, I want to thank the CTA employees who are behind all of this success. From securing funding years ago, to planning and engineering, to construction, community outreach, communications, and to those who delivered the service to customers throughout it all,

[15:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=952) you truly showed the world the level of expertise and experience we have here in our workers at CTA. Thank you, and please breathe in the pride and joy of this day as yours. And at this time, I'd like to introduce Mayor Brandon Johnson. Thank you, Nora. Good morning, everyone. It is truly an honor to join you all on this exciting day for the people of Chicago,

[16:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=988) especially for Edgewater and the uptown communities. Today, we announced the grand opening of four modernized and fully accessible CTA stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr. This is a new era for public transportation. Thanks to the historic $2.1 billion for the Red and Purple Line modernization program, we have taken infrastructure that was over 100 years old and rebuilt it for the next 100 years. And had I known that investing in public transportation would ensure a Cubs World Series victory,

[17:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1024) we should have done this for multiple years in a row. So let that be a good omen. Go Cubs! But this improvement here includes elevators and escalators and a system upgrades that will provide smoother and quieter and more reliable rides for CTA riders, passengers. As we celebrate Disability Pride Month this July, there's no better time to usher in a new era of accessibility on the CTA.

[17:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1059) With the leadership of the Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities Commissioner, Rachel Arfa, my administration strives to make Chicago the most accessible and inclusive city in the entire world. You see, accessibility is truly a fundamental right. And with the opening of these four new stations, we continue to build a city that works for everyone. Building a city that works for everyone also means making sure that we make these critical investments in our public transportation infrastructure.

[18:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1094) The Red Line is the backbone of our city, fueling our economy and connecting the north side to the south side and back. It empowers. Somebody said absolutely. The south side is clearly on the north side today. It empowers our people and brings them closer together. With phase one of the RPM modernization, this program, which is nearing completion, and the red line extension on the far south side of Chicago, which is on the horizon, we are ensuring an equitable transit system that gives access from Howard to 130th Street.

[18:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1131) I look forward to the collaboration that we will continue to do with all of our partners at every single level of government to ensure that our communities can overcome the decades-old challenges that we continue to make critical investments in the CTA as a social justice as well as a civil right. It is clear today that when we invest in public accommodations, the world benefits, whether it's our workers or working people. And so in closing, I want to thank everyone who made this possible.

[19:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1163) Thank you to the leadership and the acting president of CTA, Nora, and to the entire labor force. Aren't you glad that the city of Chicago truly is a labor town? We take care of our workers, and our workers allow for workers to move through this great city. Thank you to Senator Durbin and Duckworth and Representative Schakowsky, Representative Quigley,

[19:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1194) and to our state senator, Senator Simmons and Representative Wynn. And thank you to both. Both of our alders, Mana Hoppenworth and Alderwoman Clay, but I also want to thank you all as neighbors for your continuous advocacy. Our work is not done. We need a transportation system that is fully funded. And I am grateful. This is truly the manifestation of investment.

[20:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1227) Investing in our people is a worthwhile investment. And to all of you as neighbors who continue to come together to work with the General Assembly to ensure that we have a fully funded system so that we can be a true model for the rest of the world. To the business community, to the riders and all the voices that continue to project loud, thank you for your patience of years of construction. But today is truly an opening of new opportunities and greater mobility for the people of the greatest frequent city in the world, the city of Chicago.

[21:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1260) Thank you all very much. And with that, help me welcome our senior senator from the great state of Illinois, Senator Dick Durbin. Thank you, Mayor. This is a great day, and I'm honored to be here. As you may have heard, I'm not going to be running for re-election. And I'm reflecting on the things that I've worked on in my career in the House and in the Senate. The good people I've had a chance to work with, like Jan Schakowsky, who's been my partner and buddy this whole time.

[21:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1296) I'm Mike Quigley, who's one of the very best senior Democrats when it comes to transportation in the House of Representatives. What did we have to do to get this project? We had to change the law in Washington. When I got there, the law said we are giving federal money to new transit systems only, not to established transit systems. That made no sense. The CTA and transit systems like it across the United States needed to be modernized and upgraded, made more efficient and safer.

[22:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1326) So in 2013, 12 years ago, we introduced the core capacity bill. A lot of people didn't talk about it, but we knew what happened in Washington. It meant that Chicago, for the first time, was eligible to make application for funds for an existing transit system. We made the application in 2013. By 2017, we secured for this project $1 billion. dollars. One billion. Half of the investment came from that federal source. I'm not going

[22:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1364) to brag on that because it was your tax money we were bringing home, and it's about time we did it. And in doing that, we created 2,600 jobs. Let's give a round of applause to the hard hats and friends here. Thank you. The best of the best, and we're lucky to have them, organized labor. We also decided we were going to invest in neighborhoods just like Uptown and Argyle, neighborhoods that are diverse. This congressman and senator believe in diversity. We think it is our strength. No apologies. Coming together black, white

[23:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1400) and brown from all over the world, we've made a great city and a great nation. Let's not give up on it. I've got to leave in 10 minutes to go to the airport. Sometimes I wonder why. But this much I know. We're going to debate how to make America great again. I'm for that. We're all for that, aren't we? I believe bringing taxpayer dollars home and investing in our communities makes America great again. I believe that investing in the families that will use this as passengers makes America great again.

[23:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1435) And I believe the diversity of this nation makes America great. All of these things come together right here along this red line and along the CTA across the city of Chicago and beyond. It's been my honor to serve. The legacy that I'm leading is basically a legacy that you invested in and did over and over again. And a person who has been part of that from the very start, one of our great voices in the United States House of Representatives I want to introduce, Jan Schakowsky is the very best.

[24:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1466) She is the hardest-working, caring person that I know in Congress. She's going to continue to work as I am until the finish of our terms in office next year. In the meantime, we've got a lot of work to do together. I want to introduce and I want you to give a warm welcome to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. I want to thank my dear friend, my senator, for his kind words.

[25:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1500) We're all going to miss him, and maybe you'll miss me too. I'm not going to run again, but I am so happy to be here today. I want to thank all the workers, all the people who put it together. Thank you, guys. Thank you, women. I'm going to be real quick because we all have to catch a plane. You know, this is a state and a local effort.

[25:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1530) And because the United States of America has pitched in to make this happen, we work together with all of the people who work so hard in the city of Chicago. I just want to say of the many things that I'm so happy about, the fact that there is clarity for all people, regardless of those people who may have not be able to walk the stairs.

[26:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1563) And, you know, we now have equitability for all of the people to use this wonderful, wonderful. So I'm going to say I know Mike Quigley and I are about to catch a plane. But we are so proud, so thrilled to partner with the city of Chicago and get a lot of money from the government in Washington as well.

[26:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1594) And so I think I'm going to quit there and just say thank you to all the people who have done so much and invite Mike Quigley, that you need to know, is one of the main people who developed the money to come for this project. So, Congressman Mike Quigley, come on. Thanks, Jan. Thanks to Senator and our great colleagues that we work with, proud holder of a venture card.

[27:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1630) See you on the train, the buses, and on bikes out there. You know, I see our friends holding up these signs. They raise a good point. We got these things built, and we have to fund transit on a day-to-day basis, and that's going to be tough. But access to reliable and convenient transportation changes lives. It breathes life into communities like yours. For a long time, people who lived in this stretch, in the north siders, it became difficult. Old stations and rail lines are causing delays, excluding folks who couldn't get up those stairs and causing headaches for people.

[27:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1667) Today, I'm proud to say that's not the case. This is more than a mile of rebuilt tracks, smoother, quieter for everyone here who's involved. So today is a day to celebrate. Today is a day to enjoy this. But we've talked about two things so far. One is we've got a lot more work to do. Tomorrow, we face the specter of what the Trump administration is doing to cities like Chicago on transit and housing and immigration and so forth.

[28:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1699) That's what tomorrow means. We're going to face real challenges, folks, and I want us to recognize something. We owe it to everyone who lives in the city and the extraordinary union workers who did this job that we continue to fund transit during the Trump administration. We need to raise and understand the hard truths that it's going to be tough. We're going to have to work together to prioritize and, frankly, be more efficient and even better

[28:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1732) so that we don't slow at all the progress and work that goes into projects like this and completing the extension of the red line where it should have been 50 years ago, 100 years ago, so that everyone in Chicago enjoys these benefits. We need to look inward, folks, and recognize we too can do better while at the same time we fight the most corrupt administration in the history of the United States, one that is not our friend.

[29:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1762) But we will move forward together because we recognize, unlike him, there's more that unites us than divides us, folks. We will do that together, and thanks so much. And now part of that strength is the new fresh young blood coming into politics in Chicago and Illinois, our state senator, Mike Simmons.

[29:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1794) Good morning, everybody. My name is Mike Simmons, and I serve as your state senator. Here in Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge, Lincoln Square, North Center, Wrigleyville, Arcadia Terrace, and Ravenswood. And, of course, I could not be prouder to be here this morning and celebrate to you a historic day in Uptown and the 7th Senate District. A historic day for those like myself and you that ride our public transit in northern Illinois. a historic day for the transit enthusiasts that are here today that love our public trains and

[30:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1829) love our bus systems and the people that operate them. Give a round of applause to these construction workers that worked hard for years to make this beautiful station happen. You know, I get a little emotional as your state senator this morning as I was coming over here today because, you know, this community has given me so much. Just a block and a half from here, I went to grade school at St. Thomas to Canterbury. And I remember in the late 90s, I would get off the foster bus. You know, I was a kid growing up in public housing right down the street. And because of the foster

[31:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1861) bus and because of the short ride from Berwyn to Lawrence, I was able to go to St. Thomas and become a straight A student. I was able to bring along my family in this community who would never own cars, who when they walk past this station, they think of their parents struggling. They think of working people like my mom who owned the salon in Rogers Park and was able to go there for 25 years and has served this community because of our public transit systems and so i'm just a

[31:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1892) little emotional this morning because this is such a big deal for so many of us that are here locally but also people all across chicago who are counting on our public transit systems to carry us into the future that are counting on our public transit systems to get us to our jobs that are counting on our public transit systems to just allow us to get to know our neighbors That's one of the things that I love so much about our train stations is that it builds community for people who are so isolated right now. In a city that has long struggled with segregation and access to housing, this is about so much more than just today's groundbreaking.

[32:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1927) This is about social justice and human rights. You know, I serve on the Senate Transportation Committee in Springfield. And for the last two years, I've really one of the things I've enjoyed the most about being your state senator is fighting the good fight on public transit in our state capital. And because so many people in our district have great ideas about public transit, we've been able to set up a co-governing model in my office where we've introduced countless pieces of transit legislation that have made our transit systems more accessible to people in our community,

[32:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1961) more accessible to our neighbors who are disabled or who are seniors, and certainly those of our neighbors who are poor and low-income, like so many people in the surrounding communities of these stations. And I want to take today, to obviously mark this important accomplishments for our community, but also we must be sober about the state of our public transit systems. I, as a state senator, am calling on my colleagues to come back to Springfield and have a special session so that we can fully fund public transit.

[33:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=1992) We need a special session today, not next month, and not a DeVito session. We can get this done, everybody. If we can make this happen, we can fully fund our public transit systems. And not only can we have a modern station like the one that we have here today and that our communities will get to celebrate, but we can have bus rapid transit running on our busy corridors to better serve our small businesses and our kiddos and those of us that are trying to build community. and we can have more bus lanes, dedicated bus lanes, even on DuSable Lakeshore Drive.

[33:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2024) That's the direction we're going in this morning when we make something like this happen and as that beautiful train goes by, all of our neighbors will remember this day just like I will. And when we get those accomplishments done, we're going to be a better city and a better region for it. So thank you all. I love you all. Let's get this done. We got a formal program this morning. I forgot to introduce my governing partner, State Representative Han Nguyen.

[34:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2059) Good morning, everyone. How's everyone doing today? Happy Monday. I am State Representative Han Nguyen. I'm so honored to be staying here with you today to celebrate the long-await grand reopening of the Argyle Red Line, right here in the heart of Uptown, a place that so many of us call home. Today marks a truly historic moment for the city of Chicago, to the communities of Uptown and Edgewater, and for everyone who relies on the red and purple lines. In 2019, the CTA embarked on one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in its history.

[34:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2093) The $2.1 billion red and purple monetization project. Today, over five years later, we'll probably stand right here and see what that vision has come to life with the completion of this project. This grand reopening of the Argyle station is more than just the return of a train stop. It's the arrival of a new era in public transit. The newly rebuilt ADA accessible stations at Argyle, Lawrence, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr reflect a renewed commitment towards accessibility,

[35:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2126) towards reliability, and world-class service for all Chicagolans. These stations are gateways to opportunity. As an avid user of public transit myself, who live right down the street here in Uptown, I understand firsthand how important public transit is to working families, to our immigrant and refugee communities, to our seniors, to our young people, and to every person striving to build a better life here in this city. That's what this station represents.

[35:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2158) Not just infrastructure, but investment. Investment in people. Investment in progress. Investment in possibility. These brand new stations will serve thousands of daily riders and revitalize the neighborhoods they anchor. Many of you know today that we've been working very hard to revitalize the Asia and Argyle neighborhood. And public transit is a big part of that mission.

[36:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2190) Whether your family was resettled in Argyle and has been living here for decades, whether you're here to work at one of the numerous non-profits in this area, or whether you're here to eat a delicious meal or bowl of pho at the local restaurant down the street from here, visits local small business or attend the Argyle Night Market put on by the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, the red line and the CTA buses play a crucial role in assessing all of what the Asian Argyle corridor can offer.

[37:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2226) Many of the small businesses in this neighborhood were deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the long process of construction. So I'm so, so, so excited today for the increased foot traffic and the liveliness that will come back to Argyle. We all know that these projects did not happen in a vacuum. We are here today because people believed in bold ideas, worked together cross-government, and delivered on promises.

[37:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2261) I want to especially recognize President Joe Biden and his administration for making infrastructure a national priority. The federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Build Back Better framework has helped projects like this move from root clearance to reality. I want to thank our congressional delegation, Senator Durbin, Congressman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Mike Quigley, for their support in this project as well. Because of that vision and that partnership, we're not just rebuilding old systems.

[38:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2296) We're building a future where access to modern, accessible, and climate resilient transit is a right, not a luxury. Let's also take a moment to thank the hundreds of workers, union workers, engineers, architects, tradespeople, all back there who brave tough conditions, working long hours to make all this happen. Thank you so much. Your hands built more than just a station. You built a better tomorrow for all of us.

[38:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2329) And to the CTA, Mayor Johnson, Mayor Johnson's office, and all of the community partners who engaged with residents, who made sure that equity stayed front and center, and who did not give up when it got hard. Thank you for believing in a better, a stronger, and a more connected CTA. This is your achievement too. And for Uptown, for Uptown, Argyle is more than just a stop on a map. It's a cultural landmark. It's a cultural landmark.

[39:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2359) It's a little Vietnam. It's home to generations of immigrants and small businesses and refugees. It's where our stories converge. And today, it stands tall as a symbol of pride, of resilience, and renewal. I'll close with this. Infrastructure is not about what we build. It's about who we build it for. And today, we built this for everyone. Let's keep that spirit alive as we continue to invest in communities across Illinois.

[39:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2394) Let's keep moving forward together. And I echo the sentiments of my state senator, Mike Simmons. You know, we want to make sure we get back to Springfield and make sure we address this fiscal cliff. So thank you to all the folks here today as well with the signs. Thank you. I have the great pleasure of introducing the next speaker, the great older woman of the 48th ward of which you are at right now, older woman, Lenny Marner-Hoffing Wars.

[40:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2424) Good morning. Good morning. Welcome to the great 48th. I also want to shout out to advocates. One of the signs says, you built the stations, now fund the trains. And it's so true. I also want to say happy Disability Pride Month. And thank you for the advocates who brought us here today. And one more shout-out is to my friend Gary, who is standing right over there, who is someone who you'll see regularly at the Argyle train stations.

[41:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2463) And this is the person that you'll see mostly here to greet you. And that's really what it is. It's about not just the infrastructure that we have built, but the people behind the infrastructure who have helped to bring us here today. I also want to shout out to acting president of the CTA, Nora Learson, a regular CTA writer and the first woman to lead the CTA in its history.

[41:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2499) And along with our elected officials who have spoken already and my colleague, Angela Clay, who you'll hear from later. I want to shout out to former alderman in the audience, Harry Osterman of the 48th Ward. James Kappelman of the 46th Ward, who is here. I saw him earlier. Thank you for being here today. The RPM Phase 1 is a $2.1 billion project funded through federal and local dollars

[42:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2530) because our Illinois congressional delegation worked together with our local city officials to secure this funding. This is the kind of collaboration that is needed more than ever. And I want to thank again the Illinois Congressional Delegation, the city, and state for that continued hard work because there is so much left to do, including fully funding our public transit systems across the state of Illinois. As Senator Durbin mentioned, this project created more than 2,600 construction trade labor jobs and provided new opportunities via job training and apprenticeships.

[42:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2571) And as the acting president mentioned, the RPM Phase 1 awarded $293 million in contracts to 122 unique DBE, disadvantaged business enterprise certified firms, 55 of which had previously never done business with a CTA. This project has three major components. The first was to modernize the bypass near Belmont.

[43:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2603) This improvement reduces travel times, increases capacity, and alleviates congestion, especially at bottlenecks near the intersection of the red, purple, and brown lines. The second component involves the installation of a new signal track system on track miles between Hollywood and Belmont. Similar to roadway traffic signals, this system will improve train flow and service reliability. And the third component is the most exciting because you can see it and you can hear it.

[43:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2637) Here comes the train, y'all. Here it comes. We have the four brand-new Redline stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr. These stations are fully accessible. Benches on each platform, elevators, escalators, and at the main entrances, overhead canopies for protection from weather, new turnstiles and fare machines, wider platforms, lighting and special design elements that enhance beauty and safety, real-time digital screens.

[44:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2673) Each station highlighting a local artist who tailored their work at each station to reflect the special features of each neighborhood. To the small businesses at Lawrence, Argyle, Berkshire, Irwin and Bryn Mawr, and to the many neighbors who have patiently waited for this day to come, who initiated conversations about what we wanted out of this project starting in 2006, to all the designers and laborers who implemented the vision, who worked so hard to center folks,

[45:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2713) especially those with disabilities who for too long were shut out from accessing these red line stations. Congratulations. The wait is over. We are finally here. The RPM phase one is the largest CTA capital investment ever. While the 48th Ward is home to several of these stations, the CTA RPM project is one that will benefit every Chicagoan

[45:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2745) by spurring economic growth, especially for small and diverse businesses. This public investment points to our future growth, entices more housing development along public transit, which will aid affordability for all and helps contribute to a more sustainable future for our city, one that allows us to be less car-dependent and more connected to each other. I'm proud to stand here with you today, our community, the CTA, and the entire RPM program team to celebrate these service accessibility and reliability improvements, which will benefit not only this community, but the entire city of Chicago.

[46:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2793) So congratulations to all. And now I'd like to welcome my colleague, my neighbor, one who I share Uptown with, who is the heart of Uptown, Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward. Good morning, Chicago. Oh, no, we got a great new station opening behind us.

[47:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2824) Good morning, Chicago. My name is Angela Clay, and I have the esteemed privilege of being the Alderwoman of the 46th Ward, and I could not be more happy to stand here in this moment with you all. This is a once-in-a-generation investment that is happening across this red line. I have the privilege of being a CTA writer. I ain't got my venture card on me, but I promise it's in my purse. As a Chicago born and raised child, the CTA has played a pivotal role in my success.

[47:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2859) I took the train every single day. I went to DePaul University, got off that Fullerton stop, and then got back to the Wilson and Laura stop and said, where is the elevator? Where is the escalator? I then became a mom at the height of COVID, and because you want to take your child all across this great city, you use our public transportation because it lets you out at some of the best parts of our cities. But who's going to carry this stroller with me? I am so ecstatic that this investment is what government looks like you all I know that we

[48:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2895) talk a lot about what doesn't work but this is a testimony of what can work when you have federal state and local partnership together this investment is about equity if we can have an honest conversation this investment is about how do we tie in the best parts of our city with everyone. When people come to our great city, they want to come to communities that feel like

[48:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2926) home. They want to be able to access amazing opportunities by just tapping a card. Three dollars. They also want to make sure that they are connected to great communities, which I am so proud that myself, Alderwoman Manah Hoppenworth, and Alderman Matt Martin are working on a measure to Upzone Broadway because we know, we know that people want to live, play, and work in our communities. We know that people want to make sure that they have accessibility to and from

[49:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2959) this beautiful lakefront that we have. These new stops are going to be able to connect so many people across our city, you all. They're going to give our small businesses the bump. I want to give a shout out to all of our small businesses who have endured this process. Thank you for your resilience. Thank you for offering jobs to all of our community members. Thank you for offering amazing services. that people can take advantage of. I also want to just say a huge shout out. We've given them

[49:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=2993) all their flowers, but they deserve it, y'all. All of the folks who made this possible, all of these laborers behind us, these are amazing humans. And I can't believe that I am able to talk to you as this train goes by. Do you hear that investment? This investment, you all, is going to make so many improvements in the lives of everyday Chicagoans. It is also going to give us an opportunity to fully fund our transit system. It would be a shame for us to invest

[50:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3035) billions of dollars into these infrastructures and for them not to serve the people. It will be a travesty if we do not work together as communities, local, state, federal officials to make sure that we are putting our money where our mouth and our transit is. This is our opportunity, you all, that we cannot gloss over because at the end of the day, our CTA is what I call the main veins of our city. They get us everywhere. They connect us to and fro

[51:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3067) opportunities that we never knew existed. So I am so honored to be here in this moment with you all. I want to give a huge shout out to all of the dignitaries that came before me. I know we are super excited to cut this ribbon, so I won't waste any more of your time. I also want to call up Dave Shire, who is the RPM Project Executive for this project. Thanks, everybody, for coming and christening the stations with us.

[51:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3102) This project took a long time. We've heard about the funding that took a long time. The construction took a long time, too. And so for those of you who live nearby and have to travel through this way or ride the trains through here, we once again apologize. But apologies are over. We're open. I'm a resident of Edgewater for 40 years, and in the period of time that this project was actually noticed to proceed to us was February of 2019. That's a long time ago. None of us knew what a COVID was at that time.

[52:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3134) In that period of time, as I look back, I've added two son-in-laws to my family and three grandkids. I've got the same wife, though. So, again, we kept the train open, kept the stations open, kept the rail running, and that's part of why it took so long. Of course, that's very important. Because we kept it open, it made our work be kind of sometimes off hours. You know, we got the weekends, we got the time, we didn't get rush hour. So that made our crews work some odd hours, odd weather, and everything else.

[52:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3168) So once again, I want to turn the podium around, but I'm not going to thank this crew who did that weekend night without complaint and very efficiently. A lot of other people to thank here, too. The management staff from Walsh Floor, who is the contractor out here, thank you. 95% of what we built, the billions that we built, is within 50 foot of an active rail line.

[53:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3203) So we obviously needed extreme coordination with CTA. So the CTA construction staff, we thank you so much for working with us to give us the opportunity to do the project. We've got many other partners on the project, subcontractors, designers. Thank them all so very much as well. And I hope you enjoy this station, the station that we like to use the word durable. We want this to be durable. We want this to be the same decades from now.

[53:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3234) So thank you for the opportunity and enjoy it. Next, Dan Walsh, who's the owner of the Walsh Construction. I'm not sure what else there's left to say here. There's nobody left to thank. Dave, thank you. when um when walsh floor was was originally hired for this project by the way all this noise in our industry this is background music let it roll when walsh floor was hired for this

[54:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3271) project uh six years ago um the cta turned to me and they said one thing shut up and get that get done as quickly as possible well when tammy asked me to be on the agenda today she said the same thing. So I'm going to do that. There's not much left to thank, other than, I've got to do it, Dave. Thank you, everyone, on behalf of all of us. Well done.

[55:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3301) Talk about skilled labor. Talk about skilled labor. Are we blessed by having the unions to provide training and to provide all of us, the community. We're not a contractor today. We're part of a community with the skills necessary to do something as sophisticated as this. I do this every day. It's the wow factor for me. It's just wonderful what these people can do. In my world, there's three things that make a success. There's planning, there's collaboration, and there's communication.

[55:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3335) Well, I'll tell you, I've watched this from the inside for the last six years. The planning that went into this, whether it was D.C. or Springfield or City Hall or CTA, I mean, it's just remarkable. I mean, I hope everybody appreciates that. You know, this project is done today with, and believe me, there were lots of hurdles, with lots of things to overcome, and we're here today, it's a happy ending. It's a soft landing. Isn't that pretty cool for the community?

[56:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3366) And think of all those jobs that everybody before me talked about. I mean, that's the real thing. Those are real jobs, real income, real skills, real apprenticeships. This was not a newspaper article. This was the real thing. That's pretty cool. That's pretty cool. And collaboration. Honestly, we may have been here as your contractor for the last six years. This was decades in the making. The funding, the planning, the right-of-way, the lawyers.

[56:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3396) Collaboration. No successful venture in life, much less in our industry, gets done without collaboration. And this was a, this gets a double A for me. And communication. When we started here, for all of you businesses up and down the line, think how disruptive this must have been for you. We did our best to try and communicate. We did our best to try and let you know when there was going to be a closure, when there was going to be a night shift, which was most of the time, Dave.

[57:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3427) We tried to do our best to communicate with the community, and we want to thank the community for being a part of this process. All the community, whether it was a small business or a service business or a big business, we could not have done this without your collaboration, your acceptance of the noise, the discomfort. We are grateful. So my job is to shut up and sit down. And I do have one other job that Tammy gave me. By the way, I thought I was last because it was alphabetical order.

[57:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3459) But they told me I've got one job here today. I have to announce that we are about to have the grand opening. Okay, and I hope, Tammy, you're ready for this. Okay? But I don't want to do this because I don't deserve it. There are two people, at least in my world, as the contractor, you know, the bottom guy on the totem pole of years and years of planning, et cetera, et cetera. There's two people in my life that deserve the opportunity to make this announcement and see this grand opening with all of you here today.

[58:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3489) Bill Mooney, where are you? Dave Shire, get up here. Dave, get up here. Bill, get over here. Everybody hugs here. I like this. This is wonderful. Everybody hugs here. Now, again, for decades, there have been planners and finance people and lawyers and our representatives in Congress in Springfield and D.C. But in my world, in addition to 2,600 skilled trades,

[58:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3521) These are two people that when you talk about planning, collaboration, communication, everybody in this community should join me and thank these two people for getting this done on our behalf. Bill and Dave, thank you. I can't make these guys communicate now.

[59:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo?t=3551) I would like to announce the grand opening. Am I doing this right? Tammy, where's Tammy? I blew it. Okay. We're going to remove the photo. Okay, good.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/TzicRqWICuo · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt