Red Line status

Notice regarding 3-track operations (link)
    ends: Thu 12/31/2009 11:59:00 PM

To allow for faster and more efficient construction of the new Belmont and Fullerton stations without closing either stop, CTA is implementing a phased construction schedule with 3-tracks in operation on the 4-track North Side Mainline through these two stations.

To widen the platforms at Belmont and Fullerton, one track (at a time) is being taken out of service for realignment while keeping the stations in-service with the remaining three tracks.


PRESENTLY:
Track 1 (normally used by southbound Brown Line trains) is out of service for station construction, reducing the available number of tracks at Belmont and Fullerton to three.

All southbound trains (Red, Purple Express, and Brown) will operate over Track 2 through the Belmont and Fullerton stations.

As a result of this reduced capacity, fewer trains will operate in the morning rush.

Northbound service has been increased as both northbound tracks are now open.

CTA encourages commuters to leave earlier or later, work schedule permitting, or choose alternate modes of transit, such as CTA buses or Metra commuter rail stations, to alleviate crowding.

Some trains may be crowded, especially as they approach downtown.

CTA has added bus service on routes that serve the same corridor as the affected rail lines. Consider using buses as an alternate service to the 'L'.

For more information, visit CTA's Web site on 3-track.

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Additional Bus Service between the North Side and downtown
Effective Monday, March 31, 2008

# 11 Lincoln/Sedgwick
# 22 Clark
#134 Stockton/LaSalle Express
#135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express#147 Outer Drive Express
#148 Clarendon/Michigan Express
#156 LaSalle

(end date on this alert is an editorial estimate)

from Mon 4/2/2007 thru Thu 12/31/2009 11:59:00 PM

Washington transfer tunnel closed due to construction (link)
    ends: Fri 10/31/2008

Due to construction of a new track connection and station under 108 N. State (often referred to as "Block 37"), the Washington transfer tunnel between the Red and Blue lines will be closed.

To transfer between Red and Blue line trains, use the free transfer at Jackson.

Construction is scheduled to end in Fall 2008.

(end date estimated)

from Mon 10/23/2006 thru Fri 10/31/2008

Washington station closed for construction (link)
    ends: Fri 10/31/2008

The Washington station on the Red Line will be closed for construction of a new track connection between the State Street (Red) and Dearborn Street (Blue) subways.

Trains will skip Washington, running express between Lake and Monroe.

Construction is scheduled to end in Fall 2008.

(end date estimated)


Note about entrances:

The Washington-Madison mezzanine and entrance will be closed (this being the entrance on the block between Washington and Madison) through the period the station is closed.

The Randolph-Washington entrance, which served both the Lake and Washington stops, will remain open, but lead you down to the Lake station only.

The next entrance to the subway south of Washington-Madison is Madison-Monroe, which leads to the Monroe stop.

from Mon 10/23/2006 thru Fri 10/31/2008