Make way for newer – and narrower – RTA Red Line train cars

The RTA is expecting dozens of new rail cars in coming years, with the first two set to arrive in 2026. But before Red Line riders travel in the new digs, there’s some work to do.

Twenty-two Red Line station platforms will need to be extended to usher in the new era of rail cars, according to Kirk Dimmick, an engineering project manager for RTA. The new cars are narrower than the existing cars, Dimmick said during his presentation to an RTA board of trustees committee on July 9.

“We’re focusing on platform extensions and not replacement of the platform,” he said. 

Three additional Red Line platforms – at the Superior, Cedar/University East and West Park stations – need to be completely replaced due to deterioration, so that will be part of a separate contract, Dimmick said.

The construction for work on the initial 22 platforms is expected to take place in phases and will lead to shutdowns. Dimmick said shutdowns could happen in 2027 and last as little as 10 days, but they could last longer depending on the complexities of the project.

RTA Chief Operating Officer Floun’say Caver told the committee that the Red Line’s East Side stations will shut down first and bus connections will be added to help riders get where they need to go during the disruption. Caver also said that engineers have been tasked with creating a system for minimal shutdown times. 

The contract is expected to cost no more than $861,677. RTA staff recommended Osborn Engineering for the job. The committee voted unanimously to send the proposal to the full board for review at a future meeting.

Signals down

RTA riders could face more temporary service shutdowns in coming years.

The signal system along the Blue and Green Lines from East 79th Street to Shaker Square is more than 100 years old and in need of upgrades, said Kathleen McGervey, an engineering project manager at RTA. The original system was built in 1920, according to the presentation. A new system will help improve shunting (the movement of a train from the main line to a side track) and broken rail detection. 

Although the project was approved in March of 2023 and expected to be completed by this summer, modernizing the signal system requires new and more expensive technology, according to Jenn Martin, a contract administrator for the RTA. Staff now expects the work to be finished by fall 2025. Workers will operate during an 8-week service shutdown. 

Martin asked the board to amend the original agreement of about $4.5 million by increasing the total project budget to roughly $5.6 million. 

The additional $1.1 million would come from a combination of federal grants and local funds, according to Michael Schipper from RTA’s leadership team. 

The committee also unanimously advanced this request to the full board for consideration at a later date.

Read the notes from Documenter Ashley Lubecky

Suggested Reading

Greater Cleveland RTA may bid farewell to its smelly cloth seats

The GCRTA plans to remove cloth seats from train cars to cut down on cleaning costs and respond to rider concerns about cleanliness.

by Dakotah Kennedy and Cleveland Documenters