05/04/06
Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project:
CTA is working to expand capacity on the Brown Line. When the work is completed, customers will benefit from longer trains during rush hour and accessible, modern stations and platforms.
Throughout the Brown Line construction project, slow zones and single track operation are periodically necessary near construction activity so, as a general rule, rail customers should allow extra travel time.
Kimball and Francisco Stations to Remain Open Over Weekend
The Kimball and Francisco stations on the Brown Line will remain open this weekend. There will be no weekend bus shuttle service.
On February 20, both the Kedzie and Rockwell stations closed for reconstruction and will remain closed for six months. Rail customers who normally board at the Kedzie station are asked to board either at Kimball station, adjacent to Kedzie, or Francisco station, which is located between Kedzie and Rockwell stations. Rail customers who normally board at Rockwell station are asked to board either at Francisco or Western station. Western station will remain open throughout construction.
Wells Street Bridge Closure Impacts Brown Line Service Sunday Morning
For three hours Sunday morning, maintenance on the Wells Street bridge will close the bridge from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 7. CTA will provide a bus shuttle between the Merchandise Mart and Clark/Lake station in the Loop during those hours.
Brown Line trains in the Loop will continue to operate on the Loop elevated track from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday morning making stops at all Loop elevated stations. Brown Line trains will continue to operate from Kimball to the Merchandise Mart. Normal Brown Line service will resume at 10 a.m.
Clark Junction Track and Signal Renewal:
CTA is currently working to upgrade crossover tracks and signals throughout the Clark Junction corridor, the busy location where Brown, Red and Purple Line trains converge just north of Belmont on the City's North Side.
The upgrade to the 100-year-old junction will bring new signals and additional connections between tracks to allow trains to cross over to adjacent tracks. While the majority of work underway takes place on weekends and during non-rush periods, there are periodic slow zones due to the presence of construction crews in the area. As a general rule, customers should allow extra travel time.
Northbound Red Line Trains to Stop at Brown Line Belmont and Fullerton Platforms
Northbound Red Line trains will stop on the east side of the platform at the Belmont and Fullerton stations from 1 a.m. Saturday, May 6 until 4 a.m. Monday, May 8. Brown Line trains will make normal stops.
Blue Line Signal Upgrade:
CTA is working to upgrade approximately 20 miles of the existing 40-year old train control system and power supply equipment from the Forest Park terminal of the Blue Line Forest Park branch through the Dearborn Subway to the Jefferson Park station of the Blue Line O'Hare branch. These systems ensure the safe operation and movement of trains, and the appropriate speed and distance between trains as well as help CTA personnel manage rail service in the event of an emergency. The upgraded signal system will result in improved reliability of service for Blue Line customers, and also includes upgrades to the power cables and communication system needed to connect the Red Line State Street subway and Blue Line Dearborn Street subway as part of the Block 37 project.
Northbound Red Line Trains to Operate on Elevated Tracks Friday Night
Signal upgrade work in the State Street subway will result in CTA operating Red Line trains on the elevated track between the Cermak-Chinatown station to Fullerton station. From 11 p.m. Friday, May 5 until 8 a.m. Saturday, May 6 northbound Red Line trains will operate on the elevated tracks making stops at the following Loop elevated stations: Roosevelt, Adams, Madison, Randolph, State/Lake and Clark/Lake. Red Line trains will also stop at Brown Line elevated stations at the Merchandise Mart and Chicago Avenue. At Fullerton station, northbound Red Line trains will resume normal service. From 11 p.m. Friday May 5 until 8 a.m. Saturday, May 6, southbound Red Line trains will continue to operate via the normal route through the subway. Northbound Red Line customers who normally use the Clark/Division and North/Clybourn stations are encouraged to use existing CTA bus service in the area or the nearest CTA rail service.
Southbound Red Line Trains to Operate on Elevated Tracks Sunday Night
Southbound Red Line trains are scheduled to operate over the elevated structure from 6 p.m. Sunday, May 7 until 4 a.m. Monday, May 8. Southbound Red Line trains will stop at Brown Line elevated stations at Chicago Avenue and the Merchandise Mart, and Loop elevated stations at Clark/Lake, State/Lake, Randolph, Madison, Adams and Roosevelt. At Cermak-Chinatown, Red Line trains will resume normal southbound service. From 6 p.m. Sunday, May 7 until 4 a.m. Monday, May 8 northbound Red line trains will continue to operate via the normal route through the subway. Southbound Red Line customers who normally use the Clark/Division and North/Clybourn stations are encouraged to use existing CTA bus service in the area or the nearest CTA rail service.
Single Track in Effect on Blue Line O'Hare Branch Next Week
A single track will be in effect between Addison and Montrose on the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line for maintenance work from 10 p.m. Monday, May 8 until 4 a.m. Tuesday, May 9 and again in the same location, during the same hours Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Red Line - Dan Ryan Branch Rehabilitation:
CTA is working to replace track, power and signal systems and upgrade stations along the branch. When the work is completed, customers will experience more reliable service and modern station amenities.
Single Track in Effect Next Week
Single track service will be in effect between 79th and 69th from 11 p.m. Monday, May 8 until 4 a.m. Tuesday, May 9.
Single track service will be in effect between 63rd and 69th from 11 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 until 4 a.m. Wednesday, May 10.
Single track service will be in effect between 94th and 87th from 11 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 until 4 a.m. Thursday, May 11.
Single track service will be in effect between 55th and 45th from 11 p.m. Thursday, May 11 until 4 a.m. Friday, May 12.
Loop Tour Train Operates Saturdays through September 30
The Loop Tour Train travels around the historic 1897 Loop 'L' on Saturdays beginning May 6. Sponsored by the Chicago Office of Tourism, Loop Tour Train tickets are free, but customers must pick up their tickets on the day of the tour from the Chicago Office of Tourism Visitor Information Center located on the first floor of the Chicago Cultural Center at 77 East Randolph. Tickets are available beginning at 10 a.m.
Loop Tour Trains begin their trips southbound from the Randolph 'L' station at 11 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 1 p.m. Customers should be on the platform approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time of their tours.
Customers needing elevator access can make the appropriate arrangements when they pick up their tickets at the Visitor Information Center.
For more information about the Loop Tour Train, call 312-744-2400 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/ExploringChicago.
Polish Constitution Day Parade Detours Downtown Bus Routes Saturday
The Polish Constitution Day Parade will close Columbus between Roosevelt and Monroe from 9 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. Saturday, May 6.
The parade steps off at 11 a.m. proceeding north on Columbus from Balbo to Monroe. #6 Jackson Park Express, #10 Museum of Science & Industry, #14 Jeffery Express, and #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express buses will be rerouted in both directions to operate via Roosevelt and Michigan during the parade. Customers should allow extra travel time.
St. Jude Police League Memorial March Closes Michigan Avenue Sunday
The St. Jude Police League Memorial March will close Michigan Avenue between Wacker and Superior from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Sunday, May 7. Buses on the #3 King Drive, #36 Broadway, #66 Chicago, #145 Wilson/Michigan Express, #146 Marine/Michigan Express, and #151 Sheridan routes will be affected by the march. Customers should allow extra travel time.
Museum of Science & Industry Entrance Closes Over Weekend
The front entrance to the Museum of Science & Industry will be closed from 9 a.m. Saturday, May 6 until 6 p.m. Sunday, May 7 for Mayor Daley's Kids & Kites event.
As a result, #10 Museum of Science & Industry and #55 Garfield buses will enter and exit through the museum's west side terminal. Customers will also board the #10 and #55 buses at the west side terminal.
Cinco de Mayo Parade Closes Cermak Sunday
Cermak will be closed between Ashland and Marshall Boulevard from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. #21 Cermak buses will operate in both directions via Cermak, Kedzie, 26th, Blue Island, back to Cermak, then resume the regular route. #50 Damen buses will operate in both direction via Damen, 18th, Ashland, Blue Island, back to Damen, then resume the regular route.