2022 CDTA Construction Year In Review - Red Line and Purple Line

As 2022 came to a close, CDTA is taking a look back on the construction of key capital projects in the last 10 months that are helping the organization achieve strategic goals and better serve our customers. In May, construction began on two separate, but related, efforts to improve and expand our Bus Plus BRT service in the region: the future Purple Line and the Red Line Refresh.

The future Bus Plus Purple Line will run from Downtown Albany to Crossgates Mall. This year progress was made on the UAlbany Gardenway, pedestrian and transit improvements at Brevator Street and Belvidere Avenue, work to convert existing bus stops into future BRT stations along with improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, ADA ramps, crosswalks, and new sidewalks.

New multi-use path will connect the Harriman Campus to Brevator Street

Utilities and underground work for the UAlbany Gardenway

Sidewalks and bus pads were installed at Partridge Street for the future Purple Line project

The Red Line Refresh invests in upgrades to existing our Red Line stations that will improve the customer experience with an eye toward attracting attention from customers not yet familiar with BusPlus. Throughout the Capital Region many stations have undergone the first stages of upgrades: North Allen, Village Center, New Kramer, West Mall, Quail and Partridge. Specifically, the sidewalks surrounding the stations were improved while snow melt pads were installed to aid with snow removal during the winter.

Sidewalk around BRT stations are being replaced as part of the Red Line Refresh

Construction on both projects is expected to resume in early spring 2023. Below are highlights for the coming year ahead:

- Purple Line and Red Line Stations will see the installation of new bus shelters and the refurbishing of existing shelters with new seating, bike racks, LED lights, heaters and new pylons

- Brevator Street will get new bus only lanes and the intersection of Brevator Street and Belvidere Avenue will have a new traffic signal

- The UAlbany Gardenway will undergo station improvements, final paving and striping, and landscaping

- Construction of a new roundabout at Crossgates Mall to ease traffic

For more information on these projects check out the Purple Line and Red Line project schedules and to view photos visit the gallery.