CTA updates, cleans up stations

Commuters returning to the office after a year-plus of remote work may notice cleaner CTA stations on their route.

The transit agency on Thursday announced it is expanding and speeding up a program to clean and rehab dozens of stations.

All 125-plus stations targeted by the “Refresh & Renew” program will be power-washed and repainted. Other work may include upgraded LED lighting or repairs to concrete. Also, benches, trash bins and windbreaks on the platforms will be repaired or replaced.

By year’s end, improvements will have been made to about 90% of all stations, according to the CTA.

“Throughout the pandemic, our number one goal has been to provide our customers and employees a safe, clean and healthy travel environment,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. was quoted as saying in a news release. “Refresh & Renew is our way of rolling out the welcome mat for our returning riders. Clean and well-maintained stations are an important part of our commitment to providing a comfortable transit experience.”

Work at several stations already is complete, including the Addison and Sox-35th Red Line stations and the Bronzeville-IIT Green Line stop.

This month, work is planned at the Conservatory-Central Park Drive station on the Green Line and the 47th Street station on the Red Line.

Next stations on the list: Rockwell (Brown Line), Cicero (Pink Line) and Thorndale (Red Line) in June; Western (Blue Line - Forest Park), Kedzie (Orange Line), Cumberland (Blue Line), and California (Green Line) in July.

The status of the work will be updated online.