02/16/07
The Chicago Transit Authority will hold several community meetings to provide proposed service details for upcoming three-track rail operation. 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.
Three-track operation is tentatively scheduled to begin on Monday, April 2 and continue until the Brown Line capacity expansion project is completed in 2009, however, the start date will not be finalized until all signals and crossover work is completed and passes tests for reliability.
Meeting dates are as follows:
- Monday, March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lane Tech High School Auditorium, located at 2501 West Addison Street (Addison and Western).
- Thursday, March 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Agassiz Elementary School Auditorium, located at 2851 North Seminary Avenue.
- Monday, March 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Truman College Cafeteria, located at 1145 West Wilson Avenue.
- Monday, March 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at CTA Headquarters - 2nd Floor, located at 567 West Lake Street.
All facilities are accessible to people with disabilities.
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.
To the extent possible, the CTA recommends that customers plan to leave earlier or later, and allow extra travel time. Customers are asked to consider alternate service such as nearby bus routes, other CTA rail lines such as the Blue Line or Metra trains. CTA plans to increase the frequency of service on several existing bus routes serving the corridor to help accommodate rail customers who may choose to switch to nearby bus service.
Information on the Brown Line capacity expansion project can be found on CTA's web site at www.transitchicago.com or www.ctabrownline.com.
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