As the Chicago Transit Authority begins a big summer construction project to replace deteriorated tracks, train riders should prepare for weekend reroutes and delays.
The CTA plans to repair or replace nearly 11,500 feet of old elevated track, including portions at Wells and Van Buren streets, along Wabash between Adams and Van Buren, and the Hubbard Curve north of the Merchandise Mart station, the agency said.
The project also will tackle two major junctions, located at Lake/Wells and Wabash/Van Buren, where several lines cross over. In some cases, bus shuttles will be used to transport riders.
Service on the Green, Brown, Orange, Purple and Pink lines will be affected.
| CTA: Loop Track Renewal Project |
Reroutes are expected to begin Friday nights as hundreds of workers clock in, and trains might operate only on the inner loop or outer loop tracks, the agency said. Wells Street also will be shut off to traffic from Madison Street to Van Buren beginning the weekend of April 20.
"Customers and those in the surrounding communities will be notified at least one-week prior to any work that will result in significant impacts to CTA service or street access," the CTA said in a statement earlier this year.
There will be some reprieve. The CTA said it plans to hold off construction on the weekends of Taste of Chicago, Lollapalooza and Blues Fest.
The project is expected to last 16 weeks. During that period, overnight trains will share a track on 14 weeknights.
