Red Line S-Curve work begins Sunday, April 21

RTA will begin its nearly $7 million restoration and improvement of the S-Curve on the Red Line rail track on Sunday, April 21. Estimated completion date is June 7, 2013.

 Red Line S-Curve work begins Sunday, April 21

Mar 27, 2013

CLEVELAND -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will begin its nearly $7 million restoration and improvement of the S-Curve on the Red Line rail track on Sunday, April 21.

Estimated completion date is June 7, 2013.

Buses replace rail between two stations

During construction, this section of the Red Line will be closed in both directions. Buses will serve RTA customers between the West 117th Street and West Blvd. Rapid stations.

Commuters heading east into Downtown will need to:

  • Exit the train at the West 117th Rapid Station.
  • Board a bus.
  • Reboard the train at the West Blvd. Rapid Station.

Commuters heading west will do the same. RTA will operate three-car trains every 15 minutes, and coordinate them with buses for this project.

While this is a short bus ride, it will add time to your daily commute. RTA apologizes for the inconvenience, but knows this upgrade will be a huge benefit in the long run.

'A vital upgrade to our rail system'

"This is a vital upgrade to our Red Line rail system focusing on infrastructure, drainage, rails, ties, ballasts and overhead power system," said Joe Calabrese, CEO & General Manager, RTA. "We understand this is an inconvenience for our customers over several weeks, but we are proud to be able to make this investment in improving the S-Curve area of the Red Line for many years into the future."

Background

Delta Railroad Inc. will perform the S-Curve work. As the name implies, the track curves first in one direction, then the other, as it ascends from the West 98th Street rail station to the West 117th Street rail station. This section of track that will be upgraded is nearly 3,000 feet of the Windermere-to-Airport Red Line built in 1955.

Design work was done by TranSystems Cleveland office.

The existing track drainage system in the S-Curve is not working properly. Portions of the track are constantly wet, and water flows from one section of track to another. The entire drainage system must be cleaned, with certain portions needing to be replaced. A slab that supports track at the west end of the curve will also be replaced.

The retaining walls and one bridge abutment require repairs and strengthening. New rails, ties and ballast (the stones that support the ties) will ensure that the track is maintained, with periodic maintenance that does not interrupt service. Finally, the overhead power system will be adjusted to best align with the new tracks.