Chicago officials cut ribbon for renovated CTA Red Line stations on North Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Line riders are rejoicing in Edgewater and Uptown.

After years of construction, officials cut the ribbon on the reopening of four stations

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The reopened stops are at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr.

"It's modern, fresh, renovated, clean, it looks great," commuter Logan Goulart said. "I think so many of us rely on the CTA or work just going about town...I certain do. and I think this is a quality of life thing."

The improvements include making stations fully accessible with elevators and escalators, wider platforms, benches, and a canopy to protect during bad weather.

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This is all part of phase one of the Red and Purple Modernization project, meant to upgrade four stations that were over 100 years old.

The CTA is calling the $2.1 billion project the largest transit investment in the agency's history.

Monday, transit and elected leaders gathered to celebrate the reopening of these stations made possible by federal and local funding.

"The CTA and other transit systems like it and across the U.S. need to be modernized and upgraded, made more efficient and safer," Senator Dick Durbin said.

"Building a city that works for everyone also means making sure that we make the critical investments in our public transportation infrastructure," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "The Red Line is the backbone of our city, fueling our economy and connecting the north side to the south side and back."

"As a commuter when it comes down to clean spaces ...it shows a lot about how much the community cares," commuter Sharon Nguyen said

With these new changes, the CTA says riders will see more reliable service and less overcrowding.