Long Dreaded CTA Reconstruction Project Gets Underway

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) riders who’ve been dreading the May 19 Red Line South Reconstruction project, will now have to learn the ends and outs of getting to work and to other destinations from now until the projected Oct. 2013 completion date.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) riders who’ve been dreading the May 19 Red Line South Reconstruction project, will now have to learn the ends and outs of getting to work and to other destinations from now until the projected Oct. 2013 completion date.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) riders who've been dreading the May 19 Red Line South Reconstruction project, must now learn the ends and outs of getting to work and to other destinations amidst re-routes and shuttle buses, from now until the projected Oct. 2013 completion date.

During the $425 million renovation project that completely rebuilds the tracks and improve stations on the 10-mile stretch of the Red Line South from Cermak-Chinatown to 95th Street, Red Line service will be re-routed south of Roosevelt Road onto the elevated Green Line tracks to Ashland/63rd Street.

Travel routes and other information can be found on CTA's website at www.transitchicago.com.

"These informational materials are part of our continuing efforts to make sure CTA customers are well-prepared for the start of the Red Line South reconstruction project," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson. "We want to make sure CTA passengers have the tools they need for a smooth commute."

The project might inconvenience a multitude of CTA riders, but CTA officials feels the finished product is worth the inconvenience and will benefit Red Line riders for decades to come--through faster travel times, increased reliability, spruced-up stations and a variety of other improvements.

"Recognizing that this project will affect thousands of customers each day, CTA has worked to provide multiple, convenient options for people to get around during the construction," said CTA President Forrest Claypool. "We want our customers to be well-informed about the myriad travel options we're offering, so that they can get where they need to go."

An online trip planner is also available at www.redlinesouth.com.

Using Google Maps to provide information on multiple transit-route options, including travel-time estimates, riders can use an internet-connected device to enter a starting point and destination, choose weekday or weekend travel, and indicate a time of travel.

The CTA is also distributing fliers, targeted to various communities in the project area, with travel options and information on alternative bus and rail service.

Additionally, CTA will deploy "Red Line South Ambassadors" to south Red Line stations to answer customer questions and provide project and travel information.

Ambassadors will wear bright red shirts, and be stationed at the nine affected Red Line stations during afternoon rush hours.

Alternative CTA travel options and discounts include:

*FREE shuttle buses from Red Line stations south of 63rd Street to connect customers with the Garfield Green Line rail station

*FREE entry at Garfield Green Line station for bus shuttle passengers

*Red Line train service running on Green Line tracks from Roosevelt to Ashland/63rd

*Expanded bus service on numerous nearby bus routes

*50-cent discount on bus rides south of 63rd Street

Built in 1969, the South Red Line tracks are well beyond their expected lifespan, according to information provided by CTA. Despite ongoing repairs and maintenance, between 30-40 percent of the branch includes slow zones in which trains must travel well below the designed speed limit. In some cases, trains that would normally travel up to 55 mph are instead running at 15 mph.

Part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Building a New Chicago infrastructure renewal program, funding for the work is part of more than $1 billion in federal, state and local financial resources announced in late 2011 by Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Emanuel for the Red and Purple lines. The Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! Capital program is providing more than $700 million of the total investment.

By Deborah Bayliss

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