Transformational modernization project is largest in CTA history.
CHCAGO, IL - December 15, 2025 -- Arcadis, a global leader in intelligence-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets, today announced that Elevated Solutions Partners, a joint venture between Arcadis, Jacobs Engineering and Ardmore Roderick, has been nominated by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and subsequently awarded by IRTBA as the 2025 Professional Services Contractor of the year for delivering the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project, the largest completed CTA capital improvement project in history.
Elevated Solutions Partners was selected as Owner’s Representative for the project in 2018. Arcadis served as managing partner for the joint venture. The $2.2 billion program allows the CTA to modernize its rail infrastructure and increase service capacity while minimizing impacts on riders and communities in the project’s footprint. Improvements include:
- Red-Purple Bypass: A bypass built north of the Belmont station addresses significant capacity constraints caused by a century-old track junction where the Brown Line intersected with the Red and Purple lines. The bypass, now in service, carries northbound Brown Line trains over Red and Purple Line tracks, allowing for more train service and reduces overcrowding and delays.
- Lawrence-Bryn Mawr Modernization: Four century-old, inaccessible stations (Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr) and the adjacent four-track alignment were fully rebuilt. The new stations include modern amenities, better lighting, and elevators to make them accessible to riders with disabilities. The new track structure now provides better clearance over the existing streets. The project also includes a new high-capacity signal system from Belmont Station to Howard Yard to improve service efficiency and reliability.
“Arcadis is honored to accept this award as the managing partner of Elevated Solutions Partners,” said Rick Cianfaglione, Arcadis Senior Vice President. “We are thankful for the opportunity to provide Owners Representation Services for the Chicago Transit Authority on this significant project and thrilled that the CTA nominated the team for this award.”
The joint venture was honored at the 2025 Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association Awards Ceremony on December 11, 2025.
