The city announced yesterday that it would begin seeking construction contract bids for three major transportation improvement projects in the Loop: the Union Station Transit Center, the Washington-Wabash CTA station and the Central Loop Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. In total, the projects are estimated to cost $150 million, and the city hopes to break ground on all three by the end of next March.

↑ Washington-Wabash CTA station This new station will replace and consolidate the Randolph/Wabash and Madison/Wabash stations under one roof. Designed by engineering and architecture outfit exp (formerly Teng + Associates), the sleek Calavatra-esque station will be open for service in 2016.

↑ Union Station Transit Center This new center will allow for off-street boarding of buses and add sheltered staging areas for buses going through it. It will be located on Jackson Boulevard, just due south of the old Union Station terminal. The city has indicated that this project is expected to be completed by late next year.

↑ Central Loop BRT The BRT program for the Loop was initially anticipated to be completed by the end of this year, however due to delays, CDOT announced earlier this summer that the plan would be pushed back to 2015. The plan will speed up buses on Madison, Washington, Canal and Clinton Streets by creating dedicated lanes and adding raised boarding platforms to the streets. Washington and Madison will also have protected bike lanes. Similar to the Union Station Transit Center, the city anticipates completing this project by the end of 2015.

·City Seeks Construction Contract Bids on Three Major Loop Transit Infrastructure Projects [CTA]

·CDOT Is Finally Moving Forward With the Loop BRT Project [Streetsblog Chicago]

·Get On Board: Central Loop Bus Rapid Transit Is Coming Soon [Curbed Chicago]

·Chicago's Newest (and Sexiest) CTA Station Is Well On Its Way [Curbed Chicago]