CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced on Wednesday that there would be disruptions to the downtown elevated tracks over the weekend. Despite the notice, many commuters felt unprepared for the changes.

As a result, some passengers are choosing pricier alternatives to travel to and from the Loop.

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Over the weekend, the usually bustling Loop elevated platforms have been noticeably quieter. The familiar sound of trains is absent, as the CTA has halted all elevated service in the Loop for the weekend.

“I feel completely lost in my own city, and it’s quite frustrating,” said CTA rider Felix Medrano.

Medrano faced confusion while attempting to catch the Pink Line back to his home in Pilsen.

“For me, it’s a bad inconvenience, but I can imagine to the other people, you know, tourists and that, I can imagine what they’re going through,” Medrano said.

The CTA says the disruption of service is necessary to replace critical track switching equipment at the Tower 18 junction near Wells and Lake, one of the busiest sections of track in the country.

“I have my Ventra card. I look like a fool for wearing it. I didn’t use it at all today,” Loop resident Mackenzie Lio said.

Lio works in Andersonville on the weekends, and with her Brown line station closed, she opted for rideshare, roundtrip.

“Minimum, it’s like 18 dollars each way. Closer to 80, but I don’t want to admit that,” Lio said. “That hurts a lot. That’s a lot of money.”

The CTA is providing free shuttle bus service for impacted riders in and out of the Loop, and many are taking the changes in stride.

“I’m in no hurry, so it’s just a challenge that I’m going to overcome,” South Loop resident Alex Eimiller said. “Called an Uber, and then decided, you know what, cancel the Uber. I’m going to grab one of the Divvy bikes and head to where I was going.”

“Probably stay home. Maybe watch a few movies until they get done with the situation they got going on,” said Jose Quiroz, who lives near the Loop.

The CTA is thanking riders for their patience, writing on social media, “Our crews are conducting a massive symphony of essential track work… and other infrastructure improvements and the concert is in full swing!”

The work includes station improvements, like removing gutters at Adams and Wabash, and work on the equipment that keeps pigeons at bay at Clark and Lake.

The Red and Blue lines are still running in the Loop, and all lines outside the Loop are not affected. The CTA says Loop elevated service resumes at 2 a.m. on Monday.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

The Chicago Department of Transportation shared the following statement with ABC7:
“Chicago maintains more than 300 bridges and viaducts, including one of the largest movable bridge systems in the world. Given the age and complexity of this infrastructure, some overlap between major repair and rehabilitation projects is unavoidable. Many of these are long-awaited improvement projects that will ensure these critical structures remain safe and reliable for decades to come.

“CDOT is working closely with contractors to complete each project as efficiently as possible. We recognize that overlapping closures are inconvenient, and we sincerely thank residents, businesses, and commuters for their patience as we deliver investments to strengthen Chicago’s bridge system, improve safety, and support the city’s economy.”

All Loop elevated stations are closed: Clark/Lake, State/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, H.W. Library, LaSalle/Van Buren, Quincy and Washington/Wells.

-Pink Line: After the Polk station, Pink Line trains will be rerouted to the Racine Blue Line station. Transfer to Blue Line subway trains for continuing service downtown. For Pink Line service to Ashland, Morgan and Clinton, consider nearby bus routes.

-Green and Orange Lines: Free shuttle buses will operate between Roosevelt and Clinton every 4 to 12 minutes throughout day. Buses will make stops along State, Washington and Madison, and connect with continuing rail services at Roosevelt.

-Orange Line trains will continue to operate normally between Midway and Roosevelt.

-Brown Line: Free shuttle buses will operate between Merchandise Mart and H.W. Library every 5 to12 minutes. Buses will make stops near Loop stations.