At Mi-Jack Products, we’re proud to contribute to transformative infrastructure projects that enhance urban transit capabilities and improve daily commutes nationwide. One of our most recent urban development projects is the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Project in Chicago, where a 55 ton-capacity Mi-Jack Travelift rubber-tired gantry crane is playing a crucial role. This ambitious infrastructure renewal project, led by the Walsh-Fluor Design-Build team (a joint venture between Walsh Construction and Fluor Construction), is transforming the city of Chicago’s Red and Purple CTA lines, creating a faster, safer, and more efficient transit system.
The Red and Purple Modernization Project
The RPM project is the largest reconstruction effort in the history of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). With an impressive $2.1 billion investment, it involves a complete overhaul of the nearly century-old, elevated track structure north of the Belmont Red Line station, spanning the Lake View, Edgewater, and Rogers Park neighborhoods in Chicago, as well as the entire 3.3-mile long Purple Line from Belmont and into Evanston, IL. This major initiative aims to modernize the CTA infrastructure to enhance capacity and efficiency in public transit for the future of Chicago.
Mi-Jack’s MJ55HD Travelift: Doing the Heavy Lifting
The phase of the project involving Mi-Jack’s Travelift focuses on eliminating an inefficient curve in the tracks between the Belmont and Addison elevated train stations, which has long impeded train speeds and reduced service efficiency. In late 2021, the historic Vautravers Apartment Building was relocated 30 feet to facilitate this reconstruction. Upon completion, the new track will support more trains and passengers per hour, allowing for increased train speeds.
The MJ55HD Mi-Jack Travelift rubber-tired gantry crane has been integral to the success of the latest phase of the Red-Purple Modernization Project. It continuously traverses the job site, transporting large concrete bridge segments up the bridge to the launching crane for attachment. This gantry crane is uniquely compact, custom designed to operate seamlessly and easily navigate tight, narrow spaces. Its speed and safety features make it an invaluable asset for high-traffic job site areas, ensuring efficiency without compromising safety standards.
The Mi-Jack rubber-tired gantry crane has been essential to the Red-Purple Modernization project for a multitude of reasons:
Customizable:
- Custom height and size allow Travelift cranes to navigate efficiently under launch cranes and obstructions while lifting up to 55 US tons, enhancing operational flexibility.
- Versatile with a variety of attachment options like spreader bars, magnets, and coil handlers for various industries.
Advanced Steering Options:
- Efficiently navigates construction zones with minimal disruption.
- Remote steering capabilities allows for precise maneuverability in tight spaces with single-person operation.
- Known for its versatility in yard operations, industrial applications, and construction projects.
Safety and Reliability:
- Reliable in all conditions, from extreme temperatures to various terrains, including snow, rain, and mud.
- Speed and safety features enhance suitability for high-traffic areas, ensuring project success.
- Remote steering capability simplifies operation, allowing the operator to easily guide the crane without external assistance.
Partner with Mi-Jack for Your Next Project
As the RPM project continues to transform Chicago’s transit infrastructure, Mi-Jack Products remains a steadfast partner in assisting with key restructuring development initiatives. For those planning a large-scale construction project and requiring reliable, high-performance lifting equipment, Mi-Jack’s customizable range of Travelift rubber-tired gantry cranes is the ideal choice.
Leverage the power, precision, and reliability of Mi-Jack Products to ensure the success of your next construction or infrastructure renewal endeavor. No matter the project, no matter the size, Mi-Jack can provide the crane to fit the need. Contact us today to learn more about how our Travelift rubber-tired gantry cranes and other innovative solutions can meet your project needs.
For more information on the Red and Purple Modernization Project, please visit Chicago Transit Authority’s RPM page.
