Light Rail Track Reconstruction Program

This is a multi-year $70 million program to reconstruct approximately 10 miles of the Light Rail Track constructed in 1980 from Kinsman Road east through Shaker Square and to the eastern ends of the Blue and Green Lines.

This program is included in our current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) as well as the 2026-2030 CIP that was adopted by our Board of Trustees on May 20, 2025.  The overall program is contained in prior and current Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) with Project Identification Numbers 104553 and 118479.

At this time, we have the program divided into eight projects.  The first four are primarily Specialty Track projects that include numerous turnouts, crossovers and associated appurtenances.  They include the installation of the East 75th Street Interlocking with 3 crossovers and 6 – 115# RE turnouts between Kinsman and East 79th station, the reconstruction of the turnouts, crossovers and track at the Warrensville Van Aken Station at the terminus of the Blue Line, the reconstruction of the Shaker Junction turnouts, track crossings, and roadway crossings where the Blue and Green Lines separate, and the reconstruction of the Moreland pocket track and turnouts just east of Shaker Square.

The first project listed was successfully constructed, and a $3.5 million contract was awarded on July 26, 2022, with construction substantially completed on September 30, 2023. The special track work was fabricated in Ohio, and the contractor was an Ohio company. The second project funded by ODOT TRAC, the Warrensville Van Aken Blue Line terminus was successfully bid, and the contract was awarded on September 23, 2025.  Construction is starting and will be completed by the end of 2026.  The third project, the Shaker Junction, is currently in the bidding process with contract award anticipated by the end of 2025 with construction to be completed by the end of 2026.

The remaining four are track reconstruction projects, including 8.4 miles of rail track located between the Shaker Square station and the eastern termini of the Blue and Green Lines.  They could be combined into two projects if we obtain competitive grant funding we have requested. This work will include the complete removal of the existing 100# RB rail, ties, and undercutting of existing track-bed ballast and replaced with 115# RE rail, 7 X 9 ties, and traprock ballast.  The work also includes significant drainage improvements along the Green Line.  GCRTA’s in-house staff perform the design for these projects with support of a variety of On-Call Specialty firms that provide design support services as needed.

This work will allow GCRTA to increase the track speeds from 35 mph back to 45 mph and increase our peak hour trains from eight to twelve cars.  Completion of this project will provide our customers with a safer, faster, smoother, and more reliable rail service in this area.