Making tracks

Block 37 project

Photo: Brian Wilette

The projectCircle Line

What started out as a loose concept in 2002—a line that encircles Chicago’s central area—recently has been fast tracked. The goals of the Circle Line are to allow El passengers to get across town without having to go into the Loop and to make it easier for El passengers to hop on the Metra outside of the Loop by combining new and existing tracks to link up with CTA and Metra lines. The CTA hasn’t disclosed the chosen route of the Circle Line yet, but it looks likely it will stick with the original plans: The route starts in the Loop, runs along the Orange Line southwest to the Ashland station, turns north and hits the Blue Line at Medical Center and the Green Line at Ashland/Lake, heads northeast and ends at the Red Line’s North/Clybourn station.

The story so far The CTA plans to announce the final route sometime in 2007. Last year, the CTA finished an analysis of possible Circle Line routes, and in its 2007 budget, the CTA reported 11 new or improved stations and 6.6 miles of tracks would need to be constructed. It has prioritized that funding in front of other, older projects like the Red, Yellow and Orange Line extensions. 

Likely date of completion Sooner than you might expect—the CTA has already received millions of federal dollars to start the project.

The projectPink Line

Originally the Silver Line, the Pink Line opened as a “180-day experiment” connecting the 54th/Cermak stop to the Loop, running down the existing Paulina Connector and Green Line tracks. When Pink Line service began in June 2006, the 54/Cermak Blue Line service was reduced to rush hours only.

The story so far The CTA dreamed up the Pink Line in 2002 to see if the Paulina Connector tracks would work as part of the proposed Circle Line. In its 2007 budget, the CTA says it’ll go forward with the plan—which may mean the end of the Pink Line. If the CTA opts to locate the Circle Line elsewhere, the Pink Line might still be a bust: Critics say it’s causing rail congestion in the Loop and a decline in West Side service—not to mention adding to the flurry of cracked rails and faulty track switches we’ve had since June 2006. In December 2006, the CTA voted to keep the experimental line around for at least six more months.

Likeliness that it’ll last Not good.

The projectBrown Line expansion

Since the $530 million project to improve the Brown Line began last January, the effort to renovate stations, build longer platforms that accommodate longer trains, and give access to the handicapped means nearly all stations have or will face closures.

The story so far Riders of other lines should take note: The CTA got serious about the rehab because the active and—let’s face it—loaded communities (Lincoln Park, Boystown, Lincoln Square) that the Brown Line runs through are constantly holding meetings and winning media attention.Additionally, the CTA has a slick website (www.ctabrownline.com) for all Brown Line riders that includes station-closure updates and a handy progress chart. Such surprisingly full disclosure from the CTA leads us to believe its completion date might be on target.

Likely date of completion 2010

The projectAisle-facing seats

Envious of those New York City subway cars? Soon, you won’t have to be. In 2006, the CTA approved the $577 million contract for 406 new cars with aisle-facing seats, plus security cameras and electronic maps. By rearranging seats—there will still be 40 of them—the aisles will become much wider and allow more people to board. Plus, the CTA says it will be easier to lug something on the train—say a stroller, bike or big-ass suitcase. And, get this: The trains will have overhead straps, as well.

The story so far If the deal goes through, you won’t be able to rest your rear end on sparkling new seats until 2008, when prototype railcars will be tested. By 2010, the CTA says it’ll get the first fleet of 206 cars.

Likely date of completion Sometime in the 2010s

The projectGPS systems in buses

Sick of waiting in the rain, wondering how much you could have gotten done if you knew when the bus was coming? Well, soon you might be able to glance at your handheld computer or web-enabled phone and find out exactly when the bus will reach your stop. The CTA has already installed a GPS tracking system on buses, and it plans to use that information in mapping software that will show bus stats on a website.

The story so far The good news: The CTA has already linked the 20 Madison buses to www.ctabustracker.com for Bus Tracker, a pilot program. The bad news: It’s just an experiment, and it’s not going to last forever. And if the CTA chooses to continue Bus Tracker, the agency still needs to find some big bucks to fund it.

Likely date of completion 2010ish

The projectNonstop train service to O’Hare and Midway airports from Block 37 superstation

It looked like express service to the airports—offering wider seats and reduced travel time for a $10 fee—was on track until December 13. That’s when the CTA board decided to scrap a million-dollar contract with a consulting firm that planned to find private investors to fund the project. Some aldermen and their constituents have criticized the CTA’s five-year budget for the project, noting only $62 million is going toward CTA-wide rail repairs and safety improvements, while $385 million is earmarked for construction and financing costs for the Block 37 superstation. (According to the budget, some of that $385 million will be spent updating the Howard and Wilson Red Line stations.)

The story so far Although Chicagoans have mixed feelings about the costly endeavor, a multiuse building on Block 37 has been the mayor’s pet project since he bulldozed the entire block in 1989. And what Hizzoner wants, Hizzoner gets. Maybe that’s why, at the December 13 meeting, CTA prez Frank Kruesi also announced the nonstop airport service will be ready by the time Block 37’s retail component is open for business.

Likely date of completion Sometime within the next decade.

The projectRed Line extension

A plan to extend the South Side tracks from 95th Street to 130th Street has been in the works for more than 30 years. But alas, it keeps falling to the wayside when a project that’s newer, shinier and more exciting comes along.

The story so far The Circle Line has nosed past it in the CTA’s pecking order of projects, and express service to the airports has been even more hyped. Additionally, the process to start a new project includes several steps: an alternative analysis study, preliminary engineering, an environmental-impact study and so on. Of those steps, the Red Line is somewhere in the middle. Although it was alloted $593 million in federal funds last year, the CTA would need to come up with some additional cash to finish the job. If that’s not a priority, the Red Line won’t be running past 96th Street anytime soon.

Likely date of completion Uh…sometime, maybe?