The Chicago Transit Authority is reminding customers that from 4 a.m. Saturday, November 6 through approximately 8 p.m. Sunday, November 7, Brown, Orange and southbound Green Line trains will be temporarily rerouted in the Loop as CTA crews install a new signal control facility at Van Buren and Wabash. The work is part of CTA’s continuing efforts to upgrade the signal and train control systems in the Loop.
During these hours, trains will be flagged through the intersection by crews on the tracks as the signal controls will not operate automatically.
CTA recommends customers allow extra travel time.
Beginning Saturday at 4 a.m., southbound Brown Line trains entering the Loop will operate clockwise around the Loop. From the Merchandise Mart, southbound Brown Line trains will make their first stop at Clark/Lake, then State/Lake, Randolph/Wabash, Madison/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library, LaSalle/Van Buren, Quincy and Washington/Wells then proceed to the Merchandise Mart where they will resume normal northbound service to Kimball.
Northbound Orange Line trains entering the Loop will operate counter clockwise around the Loop. From Roosevelt, northbound Orange Line trains will make their first stop at Adams/Wabash then Madison/Wabash, Randolph/Wabash, State/Lake, Clark/Lake, Washington/Wells, Quincy, LaSalle/Van Buren and Harold Washington Library then proceed to Roosevelt and resume normal southbound service to Midway.
Southbound Green Line trains will be rerouted to the track along Wells and Van Buren. Southbound Green Line trains will make their first stop at Washington/Wells, Quincy/Wells, LaSalle/Van Buren and Harold Washington Library, then proceed to Roosevelt where they will resume normal southbound service.
Southbound Green Line customers who wish to reach Loop stations should transfer to a Pink Line train at Clinton. Customers who wish to board a southbound Green Line train in the Loop should board at their regular station and take a Pink or Brown Line train to the Harold Washington Library station to transfer to the Green Line on the opposite platform.
All Pink Line and northbound Green Line trains will operate on their regular routes in the Loop.
The new signal system will help to improve the reliability of service by regulating train movement, speed and intervals at the Wabash and Van Buren junction where trains enter and exit the Loop.
With the current signal and control system, trains may experience delays while waiting for signal clearance when crossing into or out of the Loop. Signals act as traffic lights along the rail routes directing rail operators to proceed, slow down or stop. Signals also give the operator information regarding track conditions, routing and speed limits.
The new system will reduce signal clearance delays by replacing the current system, which is more than 30 years old, with new signals designed to improve service reliability by regulating train movement, speed and intervals more effectively. The newer equipment also will reduce the cost of maintenance as aging equipment requires maintenance more frequently.
The Loop Signal replacement project is expected to conclude in late 2010. The project is being conducted in phases to help minimize the impact to customers. The majority of the work has taken place on weekends and in the early morning hours.
# # #