Originally Posted by sammyg (Post 6160960)

There was something on the facebook page about it being pushed back to July, but I can't find it now.

Originally Posted by CTA Gray Line (Post 5722452)

http://discussions.chicagotribune.co...ne-20120604/10


A Red Line train moves north to the 95th Street stop in 2010. (Jose M. Osorio / June 4, 2012)

By Jon Hilkevitch

Tribune reporter

11:48 a.m. CDT, June 4, 2012

The entire south branch of the CTA Red Line will close for five months starting in spring 2013, with the transit agency offering free shuttle bus service to Green Line rail stations, so a $425 million track replacement project can be completed more quickly, officials said Monday.

The decision to close the Red Line from the Cermak-Chinatown station to the 95th Street terminal was made to condense the reconstruction from four years of weekend work to five months total, said CTA spokeswoman Molly Sullivan.

She acknowledged it will cause inconvenience to riders, but that the benefits of the project will come on line sooner.

“Dragging out the project would be delaying faster service by more than three years,’’ Sullivan said, adding that slow zones are in effect on 40 percent of the Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line.

Completing the work in five months by shutting down the entire south branch, instead of four years of operating the line on weekdays only, will also save $75 million, Sullivan said.

The savings will also allow for some station upgrades, including elevators at three stations, she said.

The CTA is making the announcement now to get the word out and begin “extensive community outreach,’’ Sullivan said.

“We decided to make this announcement as early as we could to engage the community about the impacts of the project and (let people know about) the opportunity for jobs,’’ Sullivan said. “We will be seeking feedback from the community and planning town hall-style meetings.’’

The track system work will improve customer service by reducing the amount of slow zones, while also cutting operating costs for the transit agency, transit officials have said. Slow zones are currently needed to permit trains to travel safely on deteriorated sections of track.

The south branch of the Red Line has the highest slow zone percentage on the entire CTA rail system.

New steel rails, ties and ballast will be installed and drainage improvements made between the State Street subway portal, which is north of the Cermak-Chinatown station, and the 95th Street terminal, according to the CTA’s plan.

The project follows a 2006 project that upgraded signals, a portion of the power system and included some work on tracks and stations.

More than 50,000 riders board trains on the south branch of the Red Line on an average weekday, CTA statistics show.

jhilkevitch@tribune.com

Twitter: @jhilkevitch

Originally Posted by volguus zildrohar (Post 6161047)

Sorry to jump back to old news but this caught my attention.

A few years back SEPTA completed a similar project on the Market-Frankford El. Whereas it seems to be an overhaul for the Red Line, here two miles of elevated guideway was completely replaced. The actual work of the project took place over four years with regular weekend shutdowns during the summer and spring and 7-12 day shutdowns once or twice a summer allowing for replacement of large sections of guideway. During the workweek all year long service ran as normal and, like the Red Line, the MFL is the system's busiest spinal route. The final price tag was $567 million.

I have a difficult time imaging smooth operation of the MFL during a five-month shutdown. The western terminal of the line is a major suburban transit hub similar I'd assume to 95th/Dan Ryan. The cost difference between the two timetables is not insignificant but is it worth that kind of major shutdown for such an important route? I attended several community meetings during the course of SEPTA's project and more than once they made it clear that they weren't interested in doing a total shutdown because of how important the route is to the area and commuters. How well is it being received?

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright (Post 6161066)

They are only able to shut the Red Line south branch down because it is largely redundant with the Green Line. The main headache is for people living south of 63rd street where the Green Line terminates. Even then, the buses are fairly efficient as a replacement. The shutdown seems to be going all right and of course there have been no complaints from the demographic that elected the mayor (rich north side yuppies).

Originally Posted by emathias (Post 6160977)

They do realize the cycling season for all but the most dedicated bike die-hards isn't really that long. This should have launched at the beginning of May if they really wanted people to use it, not in the peak heat of summer.

What's most grating is that they say, "While we are going to begin installing stations beginning this Thursday, we decided to push back the full system launch for two weeks to Friday, June 28 to ensure we have the necessary time to test stations and ensure the system is fully functioning."

CDOT told all the Aldermen that they would be installing stations starting LAST WEEK, and didn't correct that information until after the dates they gave them had passed.

That's just HORRIBLE management. It's really inexcusable to not communicate schedule changes to your constituents before the dates have passed. Seriously, whoever is running this thing is literally incompetent and should be fired.

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown (Post 6162118)

Crain's has pictures of the unfinished shell of the Block 37 station.

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown (Post 6162132)

The winning Burnham Prize design for BRT stations has been announced. It's by Hesam T. Rostami and Bahareh Atash of Toronto. The idea is that most part would be the same, but bent wooden components would vary depending on location, solar orientation, and neighborhood character.
...

Originally Posted by OhioGuy (Post 6163049)

Originally Posted by N830MH (Post 6166078)

Can I ask a quick question for you? Why the fare is getting more expensive. I just don't understand it. How much all-day pass? Do you know? Is still same or did they change a fare?

Originally Posted by N830MH (Post 6166078)

There is no reduced fare for seniors, disabled, youth, & college student as well. Why? They never have reduced fares for a long time.

Originally Posted by Hayward (Post 6166678)

I noticed Granite floor installations at Clark and Division. Progress is looking good.

Originally Posted by ardecila (Post 6166779)

Isn't that premature? Why put out finished flooring before the mezzanine is enclosed?

Originally Posted by emathias (Post 6166188)

Dude, read the article and read the CTA website. Those are very basic questions you're asking, and you should do at least the minimum of reading before asking questions that have easy answers.



You're just factually wrong. Which is because you haven't even bothered to read anything on the subject. There are reduced fares for seniors, disabled, youth and college students.

If you're going to join the discussion, please do us all a favor and at least have your facts in order.