Ravenswood Connector track work this weekend will reroute Brown Line trains to Red Line subway
The Chicago Transit Authority is a convenient and affordable transit option for those traveling to events around Chicago this weekend, including the One Direction concert at Soldier Field. In addition, due to the weekend-long closure by the Illinois Department of Transportation of I-290 and overnight closures on I-90/I-94 for Jane Byrne Interchange construction work, the CTA will provide extra rail service. Travelers are encouraged to use public transportation.
Work associated with the CTA’s Ravenswood Connector Rehabilitation Project also resumes this weekend, making it necessary to temporarily reroute Brown Line trains between Armitage and the Loop to the Red Line subway beginning 8 p.m. Friday, August 21 until 4 a.m. Monday, August 24.
The CTA strongly recommends that customers traveling to and from events around Chicago this weekend purchase fares in advance to decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail station vending machines. Customers can load ahead of time transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) to their Ventra farecards at rail stations, online or at nearly 1,300 local retailers (locations available at ventrachicago.com). Other ways to pay fares including purchase from CTA vending machines 1-day unlimited ride tickets ($10) or single-ride tickets ($3) that include up to two transfers in two hours. Customers can also pay their fares with their personal contactless debit or credit cards.
Customers should allow extra travel time.
Jane Byrne Flyover Work
In anticipation of increased ridership due to weekend closures affecting I-290 and I-90/I-94 for work associated with the Jane Byrne Interchange overhaul, the CTA will add additional rail service. Beginning the evening of Friday, August 21, the CTA will operate longer trains on the Red, Blue, Brown, Green and Pink lines.
Red Line
Longer trains will operate beginning at evening rush on Friday through morning rush on Monday.
Blue Line
Longer trains will operate beginning at evening rush on Friday through morning rush on Monday.
Note: due to ongoing construction work, the Morgan Street entrance to the UIC-Halsted Blue Line station will be temporarily closed beginning 11 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Sunday. Customers will be directed to use the station’s main entrance along Halsted during this time.
Brown Line
Friday: Longer trains will operate beginning at evening rush on Friday until approximately 2 a.m.
Saturday/Sunday: Longer trains will operate throughout normal service hours.
Green Line
Friday: Longer trains will operate beginning at evening rush on Friday until approximately 1 a.m.
Saturday/Sunday: Longer trains will operate throughout normal service hours.
Pink Line
Friday: Longer trains will operate from 9 p.m. until approximately 1 a.m.
Saturday/Sunday: Longer trains will operate throughout normal service hours.
CTA buses will follow normal routes though customers should expect delays due to added congestion. Passengers are encouraged to use CTA rail service when traveling downtown or to allow extra travel time.
For details on specific road closures, visit: http://www.idot.illinois.gov/.
One Direction Concert
To accommodate additional ridership for the One Direction concert at Soldier Field, the CTA will provide extra bus service on the #130 Museum Campus and #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express routes on Sunday, August 23. Extra service will operate beginning at approximately 5:45 p.m. on the #130 and at approximately 3:30 p.m. on the #146. Service will conclude approximately one hour after the concert ends.
Ravenswood Connector Track Work
Work on the Ravenswood Connector Rehabilitation Project continues this weekend. On Friday, the last Loop-bound Brown Line train operating on the elevated tracks will depart the Fullerton station at 7:20 p.m., and depart Washington/Wells at 7:35 p.m. for the return trip to Kimball.
The first Brown Line train operating via the subway on Friday will depart Fullerton at 7:29 p.m. to Roosevelt, and the first Kimball-bound train will depart Roosevelt at 7:57 p.m.
Brown Line trains will operate normally between Kimball and Fullerton. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Once completed, the rehabilitation will provide smoother, more reliable rides for the more than 40,000 customers who ride Purple Line Express and Brown Line trains each weekday.
Service to/from Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago and Merchandise Mart
For customers who wish to board or exit from the Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago and Merchandise Mart Brown Line stations this weekend, free shuttle buses will operate in both directions between Fullerton and Clark/Lake, making stops at or near the affected stations. For more information on weekend shuttle service, please visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/alert_detail.aspx?AlertId=29863.
Loop Elevated Shuttle Train
For customers in the downtown/Loop area, a shuttle train will operate around the Loop for connections to Brown Line service in the subway and the free shuttle buses at Clark/Lake. Customers can board this shuttle train at any Loop elevated station from the Outer Loop platform, which is normally served by Brown Line trains.
The Ravenswood Loop Connector work will require four additional temporary, weekend-only reroutes of Brown Line trains to the Red Line subway, which are scheduled through fall 2015. Weather permitting, the next weekend reroute of Brown Line trains will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, August 28 through 4 a.m. Monday, August 31.
Stay in the Loop on CTA service
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
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