E. 79 Construction Update

Jul 6, 2020

April 2020 brought many things to Greater Cleveland: a worldwide pandemic, words like quarantine and social distancing, and the start of annual construction season.

GCRTA is no exception to construction season and on April 1 the existing Red Line station at E. 79th St. closed for reconstruction. This station is the last one slated for reconstruction in order to make all GCRTA rail stations ADA accessible. Part of the Opportunity Corridor project, this new station will feature a series of ramps and stair structures down the hillside, similar to Buckeye-Woodhill and Tri-C-Campus District stations, a new entry plaza, new platforms with fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) which will be long enough to accommodate 3 car trains, upgraded lighting and camera systems, and a full replacement of track through this station. There will even be a dedicated separate entrance for Orlando Baking employees!

The $8 Million project is well underway, with demolition of the existing station and stairways completed. Right now, GCRTA Engineering, the Track Department, and Panzica Construction have completed the foundation and pause points for the walkway, are working on removing old track, building the foundation of the entry plaza and running electrical which will service the lighting, cameras, call boxes and IT equipment.

Construction is set to be completed in late summer/early fall of 2021. Check back here for updates on the project in the next couple months!