Countdown To A New Brown | The Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project

Three-Track
Frequently Asked Questions

1.         Project Description
                 What is three-track operation?
                 Why is three-track operation necessary?
                 What are the benefits of three-track operation?
                 When does three-track construction begin?
                 What will occur at the Belmont and Fullerton stations starting
                     March 30, 2008?

2.         Effect of Three-Track Operation on CTA Service
                 Which rail lines will be affected?
                 How will service be affected?
                 How significant will the service reductions be?
                 Which hours are defined as ‘rush periods’?
                 Is there a busiest time of day when travel should be avoided?

3.         Steps to Reduce Three-Track Service Impact
                 Will CTA provide additional transit service?
                 What is the CTA doing to reduce the impact of three-track?
                 Will the CTA have increased security on crowded platforms?
                 Will there be additional customer assistants at stations to handle crowds?
                 Will CTA supply additional conductors on trains?
                 Will the RTA Trip Planner be updated to reflect changes to bus
                   and rail schedules?

4. What I can do to Prepare for Three-Track
What does the CTA recommend I do to prepare for three-track?

5.         More Information
                What are the best sources that will allow me to stay informed of
                   alternate service plans?

6. Suggestions and Concerns from CTA Customers

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

What is three-track operation?
There are four tracks serving the Fullerton and Belmont stations on which the Brown Line, Red Line and Purple Express operate. Two of the tracks are for northbound service, two are for southbound service. One of the four tracks along the platforms at each station must be taken out of service while the platform is rebuilt and tracks are reconfigured to allow room for elevators to be installed. The specific track to be taken out of service will vary during the course of the project.

Northbound track work was completed at the Fullerton station on January 25 and service on both northbound tracks was restored. Northbound track work at the Belmont station will be completed in March. The next phase of three-track operation will begin March 30 when the southbound Red Line track will be removed from service at both Belmont and Fullerton stations. (top)

Why is three-track operation necessary?
The construction is part of the Brown Line capacity expansion project which, when completed, will allow the CTA to accommodate more customers in this busy and growing corridor and will make all Brown Line stations accessible to people with disabilities.

Operating trains on one less track at Belmont and Fullerton allows the CTA to keep both stations open and maintain rail service during construction but does result in more crowded trains and longer commutes for customers on the Brown Line, Purple Line Express and north branch of the Red Line.

Three-track operation is very similar to major road construction projects such as the Edens Expressway reconstruction project, which require lane closures and encourages commuters to consider alternate routes of travel. (top)

What are the benefits of three-track operation?
The Three-Track construction project is part of the larger Brown Line capacity expansion project that will result in the following benefits:

A better commute and less waiting on the Brown Line due to wider and longer platforms that accommodate eight-car trains instead of the current six-car trains.
Accessibility for seniors and customers with disabilities.
Modern stations, which include brighter lighting, heaters, windbreaks, new benches and information kiosks.
An upgraded signal system to provide more dependable service.
An upgraded power delivery system to provide sufficient power for longer Brown Line trains. (top)

When does three-track construction begin?
The first phase of three-track operation began Monday, April 2, 2007. Red, Brown and Purple Express trains shared one northbound track at Fullerton and Belmont while the platforms were rebuilt and tracks were reconfigured to allow room for the installation of elevators at both stations. Construction crews completed northbound track work at Fullerton on January 25 and will complete Belmont in March, restoring normal northbound service at both stations.

The next phase of three-track operation will have Red, Brown and Purple Express trains sharing one southbound track at Belmont and Fullerton and is expected to make riders’ morning commutes more of a challenge. With the platform extension work completed at Brown Line stations in operation on March 30, the CTA will be able to add two additional rail cars to rush hour service, allowing more riders to board Brown Line trains even with the restrictions created by the loss of one southbound track. (top)

What will occur at the Belmont and Fullerton stations starting March 30, 2008?
Track two, on which the southbound Red Line usually operates, will not be in use. Red Line trains will share the southbound track with Brown and Purple Express trains. All southbound customers will board and exit trains from the same side of the platform at Belmont and Fullerton, the west side of the southbound platform.

Northbound track work is complete and both northbound tracks will have returned to normal operation by March 30. Northbound Red Line customers will board and exit trains from the west side of the northbound platform, and Brown and Purple Express riders will board and exit trains from the east side of the northbound platform. (top)

2. EFFECT OF THREE-TRACK OPERATION ON CTA SERVICE

Which rail lines will be affected?
The Brown Line, Red Line and Purple Line Express all serve the Fullerton and Belmont stations and, therefore, are impacted by three-track. (top)

How will service be affected?
Many plans were considered for the widening of the platforms at the Fullerton and Belmont stations. Three-Track is the least impactful option, affects the fewest number of customers, and is the most cost-effective option that allows CTA to continue providing service to these stations throughout the construction period.

Service reductions will occur during the morning and evening rush periods on the Brown Line, Red Line and Purple Line Express. Starting March 30, the greatest impact will be on southbound service during the morning rush. CTA encourages rides to shift their commute times to travel earlier or later if possible.

To help reduce crowding at platforms and improve the flow of traffic, the Purple Line Express will continue to operate counterclockwise around the Loop, just like the Brown Line. This means that the Washington/Wells station is the first Loop stop, and the Clark/Lake station is the last. (top)

How significant will the service reductions be?
Fewer trains will be able to run during the morning and evening rush periods due to the reduction of tracks from four to three. The most significant reductions will be in southbound service during the morning rush. The CTA recommends riders allow extra travel time and leave earlier or later during peak travel times, especially during the morning rush. The CTA also recommends that customers consider alternate service during the morning rush, such as CTA buses, as there are numerous bus routes that serve the affected corridor.

Rail customers who switched to alternate service during the evening rush throughout the northbound phase of three-track operation are encouraged to return to rail service in the evenings as the most significant impact during the southbound phase will be on the morning rush period. (top)

Which hours are defined as 'rush periods'?
The morning rush occurs from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The evening rush occurs from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (top)

Is there a busiest time of day when travel should be avoided?
Yes. If possible, you should adjust your travel schedule to avoid travel during the busiest time of each rush period, or consider other transit options. The busiest period during the morning rush will occur from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Service reductions, waiting times, and crowded trains will be greatest during these times. (top)

3. STEPS TO REDUCE THREE-TRACK SERVICE IMPACT

Will CTA provide additional transit service?
The recent expansion of platforms at Brown Line stations makes it possible to operate eight-car trains instead of six-car trains on the Brown Line, allowing greater capacity on each train. Further, the CTA will monitor train loads and add additional trains south of the three-track corridor to help alleviate crowding.

Purple Line Express trains will continue to operate on the outer track in the Loop – the same side currently used by the Brown Line – to make it easier for riders to board either route and exit the Loop at the first opportunity.

Extra service will also be provided on the Blue Line to provide alternate service. Select Blue Line trains will operate between Jefferson Park and UIC-Halsted at key rush periods to accommodate the highest concentration of riders on that segment of the route.

In addition, the area impacted by three-track has an extensive bus network that complements rail service. In the corridors served by the Brown Line, Red Line and Purple Line Express, there are more than 40 bus routes that could be used as alternate transportation, including nine lakefront express routes that provide direct service to and from the Loop during rush periods. CTA plans to stage additional buses at key locations to supplement these routes as necessary.

During the morning rush period (6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.), CTA will have additional southbound service on the:

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

In addition, the following bus routes also provide service or connections between the Loop and the North Side.

#8 Halsted
#9 Ashland
#X9 Ashland Express
#20 Madison
#X20 Washington/Madison Express
#36 Broadway
#49 Western
#X49 Western Express
#50 Damen
#52 Kedzie/California
#53 Pulaski
#56 Milwaukee
#65 Grand
#66 Chicago
#70 Division
#72 North
#73 Armitage
#74 Fullerton
#76 Diversey
#77 Belmont
#78 Montrose
#80 Irving Park
#X80 Irving Park Express
#81 Lawrence
#82 Kimball/Homan
#84 Peterson
#92 Foster
#132 Goose Island Express
#136 Sheridan/LaSalle Express
#143 Stockton/Michigan Express
#144 Marine/Michigan Express
#145 Wilson/Michigan Express
#146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express
#147 Outer Drive Express
#148 Clarendon/Michigan Express
#151 Sheridan
#152 Addison
#155 Devon

The CTA system is very comprehensive and provides multiple transit options throughout the city. The CTA recommends that you consult the CTA Bus & Rail Map to identify which bus routes could serve as viable alternatives to the rail system for your commute or visit the RTA Trip Planner that is available on the CTA’s web site. (top)

What is the CTA doing to reduce the impact of three-track operation?
Each phase of construction will have certain impacts. During Phase 2, the CTA plans to increase bus service on several routes that serve the same area as the Brown Line. This service will be monitored and adjusted accordingly.

During the morning rush period (6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.), CTA will have additional southbound service on the:

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

In mid-March 2008, customized information will be available at each affected rail station to explain CTA bus service alternatives. Additional updates will be provided as construction progresses. This information will also be available online at transitchicago.com and ctabrownline.com. (top)

Will the CTA have increased security on crowded platforms?
The CTA will increase security in areas that are expected to be more crowded. The CTA is working with the Chicago Police Department. Security needs will continue to be evaluated. (top)

Will there be additional customer assistants at stations to handle crowds?
Additional CTA staff will be deployed to distribute informational flyers and help with customer information. Staffing needs will be monitored as the project progresses. (top)

Will CTA supply additional conductors on trains?
No, the CTA rail conductor position was phased out over a number of years and there have been no conductors on trains since March of 2000. The responsibilities of rail conductors were spread among rail personnel. (top)

Will the RTA Trip Planner be updated to reflect changes to bus and rail schedules?
The CTA will forward all bus and rail schedules to the RTA in order to update the RTA Trip Planner database. (top)

4. WHAT I CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR THREE-TRACK

LEAVE EARLY. LEAVE LATE. ALTERNATE

What does the CTA recommend I do to prepare for three-track?
The CTA offers these recommendations to help you better manage your commute:

Consider varying the time of day that you travel on the CTA. If possible, try to shift your commute away from the peak travel times of the morning each rush period (7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.).
Plan alternate ways to get to your destination. Please visit transitchicago.com and ctabrownline.com, or call the RTA’s Travel Information hotline (836-7000 from any local area code) for assistance in planning an alternate travel itinerary.
Consider CTA’s Bike & Ride Program, which allows bicycles on all train routes and on buses that are equipped with bike racks (bicycles are not permitted on trains Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). Please use common sense when attempting to bring a bicycle on a crowded train.

5. MORE INFORMATION

What are the best sources that will allow me to stay informed of alternate service plans?
CTA offers numerous ways to stay informed of construction progress:

Read the CTA customer alerts that will be posted on trains, buses and at rail stations beginning in mid-March.
Listen for automated messages on buses and trains.
Call the RTA’s Travel Information Center (836-7000 from any local area code).
Visit www.transitchicago.com or www.ctabrownline.com, or call CTA customer service at 1-888-YOUR-CTA. (top)

6. SUGGESTIONS AND CONCERNS FROM CTA CUSTOMERS

Is it possible to close the tracks between the Fullerton and Belmont stations from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., during which time construction would take place and shuttle buses would operate between Addison and North/Clybourn?
In order to make the Fullerton and Belmont stations accessible to seniors and riders with disabilities, it is necessary to widen the platforms and install elevators. This requires the complete reconstruction of the tracks that serve these stations. Five-hour station closures are not sufficient to complete the amount of track work necessary to resume normal morning service. (top)

Will the slow zones along the Red Line’s Howard Branch be repaired prior to three-track?
While CTA has crews working throughout the system to maintain tracks and eliminate slow zones, the repairs along the northern end of the Red Line will not be completed prior to three-track. However, the following slow zones were eliminated:

Slow Zones Eliminated in 2007:

Red Line between Morse and Loyola -- 2,775 feet removed
Red/Purple/Brown from Armitage to Diversey -- 2,537 feet removed
Red Line subway from Grand to Clark/Division -- 8,000 feet removed
Red Line southbound from Wilson to Sheridan -- 3,325 feet removed

(top)

Can the CTA create dedicated road space for shuttle buses to run through alleys or along residential streets?
Alleys are too narrow for use by CTA buses. Obstacles in alleys, such as speed bumps, dumpsters and utility poles, make such use impractical and dangerous. In the corridor affected by three-track, virtually all residential streets are wide enough only for one through lane in each direction. Additionally, there are numerous limitations to this type of use, such as extreme demand for curbside parking and dedicated curb space. (top)

Is it possible to operate a reversible track on which trains would travel southbound during the morning rush and northbound during the evening rush?
The conflicts created by using a reversible track make this an unsuitable option. The system that allows trains to cross from one track to another cannot safely accommodate a reversible configuration without an increase to travel times during rush period service. This would impact service all along the corridor. And accessible transfers at the Fullerton and Belmont stations would be eliminated, which would be problematic for seniors, customers with disabilities, and customers with baby strollers or other bulky possessions. (top)

Will the upgrades stations be wheelchair accessible?
Yes, all Brown Line stations will be accessible to people with disabilities. This means that riders with disabilities will be able to board and exit at any Brown Line station once the project is complete. (top)