CTA to Complete Track Work in October for Forest Park Branch Rebuild Phase 1

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CHICAGO – Chicago Transit Authority announced Phase 1 track work is almost complete on the Forest Park Branch Rebuild. Also, Blue Line trains will resume operations on Sunday, October 8th.

Chicago Transit Authority announced Phase 1 track work is almost complete on the Forest Park Branch Rebuild. Also, Blue Line trains will resume operations on Sunday, October 8^th. 

Starting this Friday, the 29^th at 10 p.m. until Monday, October 2^nd at 4 a.m., there are temporary service changes on the Blue Line. According to the release from CTA, trains will operate in two segments. The first is between O’Hare and LaSalle and the second is between Forest Park and Illinois Medical District (IMD). Clinton, UIC-Halsted, and Racine Stations will be temporarily closed. CTA has information regarding bus shuttle service and elevator access here.

MAP 1: PART A SERVICE

These service changes allow crews to connect “recently installed tracks with the power and signal systems and begin conducting the required testing to allow for Blue Line trains to operate through the completed project area.”

As part of the first phase of CTA’s $268 million project, crews will rebuild 15,000 feet of track between LaSalle and IMD stations, demolish and rebuild the Racine station, and upgrade the traction power system (which provides electricity to the system). Once track work is completed on October 8^th, the “Loomis St. auxiliary entrance of the Racine station will re-open, [and] the main entrance of the Racine station will remain closed and is expected to re-open in late 2024, at which time, the Loomis St. auxiliary entrance will close for reconstruction through 2025.”

MAP 2: PART B SERVICE