06/07/06
CTA will provide shuttle train service for Purple Line customers in both directions between South Boulevard station and Howard station from Friday evening to Sunday night due to the installation of new track. Purple Line customers are advised to allow extra travel time.
From 8 p.m. Friday, June 9 to 2 a.m. Monday, June 12 southbound Purple Line customers will exit Purple Line trains at South Blvd and cross to the east side of the platform to board a shuttle train to continue to Howard station. At Howard station, northbound Purple Line customers will board shuttle trains on the east platform as usual, exit at South Blvd station and board a Purple Line train to continue their trips north. The Purple Line will operate its normal service between South Blvd and Linden.
Southbound Purple Line customers with mobility devices may board northbound Red Line trains at Howard. The trains will loop around the track to change direction and travel south. Northbound Purple Line customers with mobility devices arriving at Howard station may follow the same routine as usual and board a northbound shuttle train on the same platform.
Normal Purple Line service and Purple Line Express service will resume Monday morning.
The Purple Line provides more than 10,000 rides on an average weekend. On an average Saturday 362 customers enter the South Blvd station and on an average Sunday 204 customers enter the station.
Construction crews will install a crossover track near the South Blvd station to improve the flow of train traffic as part of the rehabilitation of Howard station. Once the project is completed, the station will be accessible to customers with disabilities, feature an improved fare array, brighter lighting, state-of-the-art communications system, new canopies on the platform and an accessible path between the platforms and the multi-story parking garage and bus terminal on the west side of the station. The station will remain open during construction. The project is expected to be completed in 2009.
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