CTA Executing Major Brown Line Rehab

The Chicago Transit Authority is making major improvements to the Brown Line tracks along the North Side, with one project estimated to cost more than $71 million.

On Sept. 8, the CTA began construction work on the Ravenswood Connector, the stretch of elevated track between Armitage Avenue and Merchandise Mart. The project is expected to eliminate more than 70 percent of Brown and Purple Line slow zones.

Work on the Ravenswood Connector will cost $71.2 million.

It’s joined by more construction slated for the stretch of track between Western Avenue and Kimball Street beginning Sunday, Sept. 15. Crews will also work to eliminate slow zones, with work scheduled every Sunday through Oct. 6.

The elevated infrastructure between Armitage and the Loop was originally constructed in the late 1800s. Once the infrastructure work is completed, the CTA will begin replacing deteriorated rail ties and track components, work that is expected to begin in 2014.

“The CTA’s investment in the Brown and Purple Line tracks will provide faster and more reliable service to the nearly 40,000 customers who take Brown and Purple Line trains into the Loop each weekday,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool.

“The Ravenswood Connector’s condition has resulted in numerous ‘slow zones’ that require trains to operate at maximum speeds of 15 mph,” Claypool continued. “This project will not only improve the safety and reliability for the 700 trains that travel to and from the Loop each weekday, it will eliminate more than two miles worth of slow zones.”

To minimize the impact to service, structural repair work will be performed mostly late at night and on weekends. During these times, trains traveling in both directions will operate on a single track, which will result in longer travel times and occasionally changes in boarding locations at rail stations.