4/27/04
The Chicago Transit Authority has received Awards of Excellence from the American Galvanizer's Association (AGA) and the Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association (CISCA) for work performed on the $482.6 million rehabilitation of the Cermak (Douglas) branch of the Blue Line.
"Our thanks to both associations for recognizing the quality of work that is being performed on the Cermak (Douglas) branch of the Blue Line," said CTA President Frank Kruesi. "It represents the commitment we have made to bringing the CTA rail system to a state of good repair for our customers."
CTA won the AGA's 2004 Excellence Award in the bridge and highway category for its large-scale use of hot-dip galvanized steel. CTA covered 13,117 tons of structural steel with galvanized zinc, which coats and protects the steel from moisture, rust and corrosion. The galvanized steel was used along the entire 4.6-mile elevated portion of the Cermak (Douglas) branch to protect the track structure, platform steel, fences, railings and support columns. The $3.3 million of galvanized steel is expected to save the CTA in future maintenance costs since the steel's consistent dark gray color will prevent the need for repainting every few years. CTA contractor Kiewit-Delgado, AJV (A Joint Venture) performed the installation and Industrial Steel Construction, Inc. provided the steel for the project.
The CTA also received CISCA's 2004 Award of Excellence in the renovation and restoration category for the state-of-the-art canopies located at the newly renovated rail stations along the Cermak (Douglas) branch of the Blue Line. The association cited the canopies for good craftsmanship and installation, unique use of material in a transit environment, and creative detailing that is vandal- and harsh-weather resistant. The manufacturer of the canopies, Railtech Composites, submitted the canopy work to CISCA for consideration on behalf of the CTA and shares in the award. CTA subcontractor Crown Core was the installer and Kiewit- Delgado was the general contractor.
The Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association is an international trade association founded in 1950 for the advancement of the interior commercial construction industry. CISCA's membership includes more than 600 contractors, distributors, manufacturers and independent manufacturer's representatives worldwide.
The American Galvanizers Association, a not-for-profit trade association, has represented architects, engineers, contractors, specifiers and fabricators throughout North America and 20 countries worldwide since 1935.
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