CTA to restore Yellow Line service at the end of October

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Yellow Line service will resume Friday, October 30, following an embankment collapse this past May.

 

“Restoring Yellow Line service as quickly as possible has remained our top priority while maintaining the safety of our riders,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. “We know how critical access to public transportation is to the livelihood of people across the Chicago area and we look forward to welcoming Yellow Line riders back to the quick, affordable service to which they are accustomed.”

The embankment collapse that caused service shutdown was the result of construction on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) property. The restoration of service follows the design and reconstruction of the embankment by MWRD and its contractor, Walsh Construction.

The restoration of the embankment by MWRD and Walsh Construction also included re-fencing the right-of-way area between the tracks and MWRD property; the rebuilding and stabilization of the soil embankment; the reconstruction of approximately 1,200 feet of north and southbound Yellow Line tracks atop the embankment including ties, rail plates, fasteners, running rail and third rail; and reconnecting signals and communication lines.

Track maintenance, inspection and testing, including running test trains, will continue through the end of the month. CTA reminds customers that it is important to stay off the tracks and stay alert near street-level rail crossings.

To promote the reopening and encourage ridership to return, the CTA and village of Skokie will undertake significant outreach efforts to riders, residents and local businesses. Additionally, the village of Skokie and CTA will provide free parking at the Dempster station for the remainder of 2015.

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