CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority said it is investing nearly $20 million in railroad track and station improvements to the southern Green Line.
The projects will prepare the Green Line to handle an increase in passengers related to the five-month reconstruction of the Red Line South beginning in May, and will benefit Green Line customers for the long term with increased service reliability and fewer delays.
Improvements that have been made or will be completed by May include improvements and temporary expansion of two Green Line stations, Garfield and Ashland/63rd, and significant track and signal work beginning south of Roosevelt at several locations along the Green Line that will eliminate emerging slow zones that could impact and reduce travel times.
The improvements will enable Green Line tracks and stations to accommodate additional trains during the Red Line South reconstruction—a $425 million initiative that will completely rebuild the Red Line between Cermak/Chinatown and 95th Street over a five-month period beginning May 19. Because the Red Line South project will require a five-month shutdown of that section of the Red Line, Red Line trains will run on elevated Green Line tracks between Ashland/63rd and Roosevelt. CTA will provide free shuttle buses that will transport customers from four Red Line stations south of 63rd Street to Garfield Green Line station.
“The Green Line trackwork we’re doing in preparation for the Red Line reconstruction project has already begun improving our Green Line customers’ travel experience,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “We are always looking to reduce travel times and improve service, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
