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Attention, Chicago commuters: The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced that train services on the Loop’s elevated tracks will be suspended this weekend.
Travelers are advised to anticipate additional travel time, even beyond the Loop area. Due to concurrent infrastructure projects, driving downtown might not be a convenient alternative either, the CTA warns.
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In a statement released on Wednesday, the CTA detailed plans for a critical equipment upgrade at the Tower 18 junction. This location, a hub for over 700 trains on an average weekday, will undergo essential track switching equipment replacement.
“It’s not ideal, but repairs are necessary,” remarked CTA passenger Gerrit Vander Ploeg. “Chicago’s infrastructure is aging, and maintenance is a must from time to time.”
This maintenance means that there will be no train service in the Loop for the Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink lines this weekend.
All Loop elevated stations will be closed: Clark/Lake, State/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, H.W. Library, LaSalle/Van Buren, Quincy and Washington/Wells.
The service suspension will last from 4 a.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Monday, the CTA said.
Service along the Red and Blue lines will be unaffected.
Also, during this weekend line-cut, CTA crews will work on flooring and platform repairs, pigeon mitigation, lighting changes, staircase and canopy repairs and general painting.
The CTA will operate two bus shuttles providing connections for affected riders.
-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.
CTA is urging riders to plan for extra travel time even outside the Loop.
Javier Pineda of Clearing is among the many riders who’ll be impacted.
“Well, it’s definitely a big inconvenience, and it makes everything harder,” Pineda said.
The planned weekend disruption is not sitting well with some riders.
“Really an inconvenience and to get to where I want to go and back, it would be pretty hard,” CTA rider Katilyn Evans said.
The weekend CTA work comes as driving in and around downtown. has gotten harder because of several projects, including the closures of the more than 100-year-old Lake Street bridge, the Chicago Avenue bridge, the State Street bridge, as well as work on the Grand Avenue bridge.
“I think it’s going to effect restaurants financially, and it’s going to be an inconvenience,” CTA rider Joseph Williams said.
Service along the Red and Blue lines will be unaffected, and neither is any line outside the Loop.
“I guess I’m just going to have to drive, pay for the parking on the road, find parking on the road, I guess,” CTA rider Mario Navia said. “I don’t know. I really don’t know. I might get dropped off even.”
The Chicago Department of Transportationshared 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.”
