LiveWire Construction, working with John Burns Construction Company, completed a $3.2 million traction power infrastructure upgrade for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) at Grand and Berry Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Completed in July 2025, the project involved the installation of all traction power switchgear, electrical components, and cables, along with full termination management at every connection point—delivering the critical electrical infrastructure that powers one of the nation’s busiest urban rail networks.
The Chicago Transit Authority operates the second-largest public transit system in the United States, serving approximately 1.5 million riders daily across eight rail lines and 145 rail stations. The CTA’s rail system depends on a complex network of traction power substations that convert utility AC power into the 600-volt DC power required to run the system’s rail cars. These substations are the electrical heart of the transit system, and any failure can disrupt service for thousands of commuters. The Grand and Berry Avenue traction power upgrade strengthens this network by modernizing switchgear and power distribution equipment, improving reliability, and supporting the CTA’s ongoing investment in systemwide infrastructure renewal.
The Chicago Transit Authority's rail system is one of the oldest and most iconic in the United States, with the first elevated railway opening in 1892, more than 130 years ago.
