Under ‘L’ Activation: New Community Spaces for Edgewater and Uptown
We’re excited to announce that construction for the Under “L” Activation project is expected to begin this summer and potentially as soon as late May / early June.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is currently obtaining permits for construction of the Under “L” Activation project. Once permits are issued, construction is expected to begin at the north end of the project at Ardmore. Work is expected to happen block-by-block moving south and at some point there will be work in all blocks. CTA will issue construction notices with updates and potential impacts ahead of the work as it’s completed. Construction for this project is expected to last through this year. Stay tuned to the 48th ward newsletter for ongoing updates.
ABOUT THE UNDER ‘L’ PROJECT
Alongside the construction of four new, fully-accessible “L” stations, CTA announced in 2023 an additional phase to the Red & Purple Modernization (RPM) project. The CTA removed embankments over a century old located under the “L” tracks with plans to open up new community spaces for Edgewater and Uptown.
CTA published their final plans, including a summary of community engagement and guiding principles for the Under “L” here: Designing the Under “L” Experience Report.
This project is giving Edgewater and Uptown 10 blocks, or about one mile, of new open space from Lawrence to Ardmore, including open, accessible, and flexible spaces as well as amenities based on feedback from neighbors.
