Chicago is My Home

15
May

CTA to Pick Up Speed on Brown Line Construction at Fullerton, Belmont Stops

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Travel

CHICAGO – The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will inject $1.6 million into the Brown Line construction project in order complete the track realignment six months early, CTA officials said on Wednesday.

Southbound Brown, Red and Purple Line trains were routed onto one track at the Belmont and Fullerton stations starting on March 30, 2008 as the CTA rebuilt platforms and reconfigured tracks.

The project, which has slowed travel for tens of thousands of riders, was not scheduled to be completed until well into 2009. However, CTA President Ron Huberman says the cost of accelerating the pace of work will be offset by increased ridership and operational savings.

“Accelerating the construction schedule will cost $1.6 million. That will come out of capital funds for the Brown Line project budget,” Huberman said in a Wednesday statement. “It will reduce our operating costs since we are currently providing supplemental bus service and have additional staff deployed to the corridor to support a three-track operation.”

By Megan O’Neil