12/15/06
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.
Brown Line Customers Should Allow Extra Travel Time This Weekend
Construction work planned for this weekend on the Brown Line will require reroutes of northbound Brown Line trains on Saturday, December 16. This could cause delays in service so customers are advised to allow extra travel time. Several major construction projects are currently underway on the rail system and CTA is working to minimize the impact on customers while coordinating efforts to accommodate multiple construction crews.
5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 16 ? Fullerton Station
At Fullerton, northbound Brown Line trains will operate on the same track as northbound Red Line trains. Customers will board northbound Brown Line trains on the same side of the platform (west) as northbound Red Line customers.
Northbound Brown Line trains will be unable to stop at the Diversey station platform during these hours. Customers who wish to exit at this station will need to travel to the Wellington station and transfer to a southbound Brown Line train.
Northbound customers who wish to board at the Diversey station will need to board a southbound train to Fullerton and transfer to a northbound Brown Line train.
Normal northbound Brown Line service will resume at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 16.
7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, December 16 ? Belmont Station
At Belmont, southbound Brown Line trains will operate on the same track as southbound Red Line trains. Customers will board southbound Brown Line trains on the same side of the platform (east) as southbound Red Line customers.
Normal southbound Brown Line service will resume at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 16.
7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, December 17 ? Chicago and Sedgwick Stations
At Chicago and Sedgwick, southbound Brown Line trains will operate on the same track as northbound Brown Line trains. Both north and southbound customers will board at the Chicago and Sedgwick stations on the northbound (east) side of the platform.
Normal southbound service will resume at 5 p.m. Sunday, December 17.
Brown Line Belmont Station Entrance to Temporarily Relocate Sunday
Beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 17 the CTA will temporarily relocate the entrance to the Belmont station on the Red, Brown and Purple lines. The new temporary entrance will be approximately 75 feet to the east of the existing entrance while CTA continues work to rebuild the Belmont station and extend platforms. The customer assistant booth, turnstiles and farecard vending machines will move to the new temporary entrance as well. Customers will continue to use the existing stairways to the elevated platforms to access Purple Line Express and Red and Brown Line trains.
(See separate release)
Holiday Train Brightens Travel
The festive Holiday Train is brightening the Brown and Orange lines through Saturday, December 16 and the Red, Purple and Yellow lines next week. The train will make stops at all stations running between approximately 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.
For more specific information on dates and times for the Holiday Train, customers should call 836-7000 (any local area code) or visit CTA's web site at www.transitchicago.com.
December 14 ? 16
Brown and Orange Lines
December 18
Red Line
December 19
Purple Line Express
December 20
Red Line
December 21
Yellow Line
(See separate press release)
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.
Late Night Single Track in Effect on Red Line Next Week
A single track will be in effect between the 63rd and Garfield stations from 11 p.m. Monday, December 18 until 4 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, and again at the same location, during the same hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, December 19, 20 and 21.
During the Monday and Tuesday single track, north and southbound customers boarding at the Garfield station must board on the southbound side of the platform. During the Wednesday and Thursday single track, north and southbound customers boarding at the Garfield station must board on the northbound side of the platform.
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.
Late Night Single Track in Effect in Blue Line Subway Friday
A single track will be in effect between the Racine and LaSalle stations from 11 p.m. Friday, December 15 until 8 a.m. Saturday, December 16. North and southbound customers boarding at the UIC-Halsted, Clinton and LaSalle stations must board on the southbound side of the platform.
Late Night Single Track in Effect on Blue Line Forest Park Branch Saturday
A single track will be in effect between Forest Park and Lathrop from 11 p.m. Saturday, December 16 until 8 a.m. Sunday, December 17. North and southbound customers boarding at the Forest Park station must board on the northbound side of the platform.
Late Night Single Track in Effect in Dearborn Subway Next Week
A single track will be in effect between the Damen and Grand stations from 11 p.m. Monday, December 18 until 4 a.m. Tuesday, December 19 and again in the same location, during the same hours Tuesday and Wednesday, December 19 and December 20. North and southbound customers boarding at the Division, Chicago and Grand stations must board on the northbound side of the platform.
Single Track in Effect on Red Line for Maintenance Saturday
A single track will be in effect between the 69th and 79th stations from 10 p.m. Saturday, December 16 until 8 a.m. Sunday, December 17 and again in the same location from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. Sunday, December 17. North and southbound customers boarding at 69th must board on the northbound side of the platform.
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