03/26/07
The Chicago Transit Board will hold a special meeting on Friday, March 30 at2 p.m. at its main office, 567 W. Lake, in order to receive updated information on the preparations and readiness for the upcoming three-track operation at Belmont and Fullerton stations.
The target date for the start of three-track operation is Monday, April 2 and would continue until the Brown Line capacity expansion project is completed in 2009.
CTA has been testing signals, switches and crossovers to be sure they are functioning properly before beginning the operation. The agency also held three community meetings to provide information to customers, as well as answer their questions and listen to suggestions. A final public meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 26 at CTA headquarters, 567 W. Lake St. from 6 to 8 p.m.
As part of the Brown Line capacity expansion project, trains serving the Belmont and Fullerton stations will have to share three tracks instead of four to allow construction crews the necessary space to install elevators at each station and expand the platforms to accommodate longer trains. Operating trains on one less track at Belmont and Fullerton will allow the CTA to keep both stations open and maintain rail service during construction.
CTA has informed customers that the shift to three-track operation this spring in the rail corridor between Armitage and Addison (Red Line) will result in more crowded trains and longer commutes for customers on the Brown Line, Purple
Line Express and north branch of the Red Line. Station specific information related to three-track operation and details on the Brown Line capacity expansion project is also available on CTA's web site, www.transitchicago.com, and the Brown Line web site, www.ctabrownline.com.
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