Attention CTA riders: Four busy train lines in the Loop and downtown will be shut down this weekend.
According to a release, the CTA will be replacing “critical track switching equipment at the Tower 18 junction” at the intersection of Lake and Wells, which requires a temporarily suspension of Loop elevated trains on the Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines.
That area is the busiest section of track in the entire CTA system, the agency said, with roughly 700 trains passing through in all directions on an average weekday.
Outside the downtown, area, those lines will operate normally, the CTA said. Train service on the Red and Blue lines, which use subway tunnels in the Loop, will be unaffected.
According to the agency, the work is necessary “to ensure CTA can continue providing safe and reliable services across the four rail lines that use the Loop Elevated structure,” the release added. While lines are cut, crews will also be making a number of improvements at several Loop Elevated stations, including flooring, platform and stairway repairs, pigeon mitigation, lighting changes and more.
The CTA warned that riders should plan ahead and allow for extra trave time, as “rail service outside the Loop may also be delayed.”
“Train Tracker data may also be impacted as well,” the CTA said.
Here’s a breakdown of which lines are impacted where, and when it will begin.
Brown Line:
Service to Clark/Lake, State/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams Wabash, Harold Washington Library, LaSalle/Van Buren, and Quincy and Washington/Wells are suspended beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday, lasting until 2 a.m. Monday.
Brown Line trains will only run between Kimball and Merchandise Mart, with the Red Line serving as an alternative into the Loop.
Green Line:
Service to Clark/Lake, State/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library, LaSalle/Van Buren, and Quincy and Washington/Wells will be suspended from 4 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Monday.
Green Line trains will run between Harlem and Clinton, and Roosevelt and 63rd Street only.
Orange Line:
Service to Clark/Lake, State/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library, LaSalle/Van Buren, and Quincy and Washington/Wells will be suspended from 4 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Monday.
Orange Line trains will only run between Midway and Roosevelt.
Pink Line:
Pink Line trains will be rerouted after Polk Station to the Racine Blue Line station. Passengers can transfer to Blue Line trains for continuing service into the Loop.
Pink Line service to Ashland, Morgan and Clinton will not be available, with passengers urged to seek alternative transportation on buses.
Shuttle Buses:
According to the CTA, Green and Orange Line shuttle buses will operate between Roosevelt and Clinton, making stops along State, Washington, and Madison.
Those buses will connect with continuing Green Line service at Clinton.
Brown Line shuttle buses will operate between Merchandise Mart and the Harold Washington Library, making stops near Loop stations.
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