(CHICAGO) A man was shot to death on a CTA Red Line platform at the Garfield Station early Monday on the South Side, police said.
The 33-year-old was arguing with another male on the platform at 2:39 a.m. in the 200 block of West Garfield Boulevard when the male took out a handgun and fired multiple shots, according to Chicago Police.
The man was shot in the head and chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office did not immediately confirm his death.
Red Line trains temporarily bypassed the Garfield Station while police investigated the shooting, but normal service was resuming by 4:41 a.m., according to the CTA.
(CHICAGO) CTA Red Line Service is suspended Thursday morning on the South Side due to a medical emergency on the tracks.
Service was suspended between Garfield and 95th at 8:20 a.m., according to the CTA. Trains are only running between Howard and Garfield.
Shuttle buses are available to provide service through the affected area, according to the transit agency. Customers can also use the No. 29 State bus as an alternate.
Details about the medical emergency on the tracks weren’t immediately available.
The CTA has removed at least one Red Line “L” train to be cleaned after a rider reported a bed bug sighting on a southbound train — and also posted a harrowing announcement about his experience on Reddit.
In a horror-tinged post to the Chicago section of Reddit, user UeSuRi posted a “PSA” to warn commuters of an apparent bed bug or lice infestation after spotting some small, white bugs on his seat and clothing.
(CHICAGO) Closures on the Dan Ryan are beginning this week as the Chicago Transit Authority begins work on its 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project.
The left northbound lane of the Dan Ryan at 95th Street will be closed through Thanksgiving, according to the CTA.
The Illinois Department of Transportation says that there will be traffic monitoring devices and changeable message signs installed along northbound I-57 to alert traffic conditions to the motorists.
As part of a $280 million project, this closure is necessary to rebuild the south terminal. All work is slated to be completed in 2017.
(CHICAGO) Construction work will require Howard-bound Red Line trains to run express from Sheridan to Howard during the weekend, according to Chicago Transit Authority.
The work will begin 11 p.m. Friday and continue until 2 a.m. Monday morning. Construction crews will work on the track as part of the Wilson Station Reconstruction project, the CTA said.
Howard-bound customers at bypassed stations will need to take a 95th-bound train to Sheridan and then transfer to a Howard-bound train. For alternate service through the affected area, use the #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, #147 Outer Drive Express or #151 Sheridan bus routes, the CTA said.
From the website proudtorun.org: As part of Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Pride Week activities since 1982, Proud To Run (PTR) is an annual 10K run & 5K run/walk along the lakefront, focused on celebrating pride in and raising funds to support the greater Chicago area LGBTQ community. In 2015 we had a record turnout of more than 1,700 registrants. Overall, more than 2,200 people participated in this year’s event by running, walking, volunteering and sponsoring.
The Proud To Run 10K run & 5K run/walk is organized by an all volunteer, community based board of directors.
The 47th Annual Chicago Pride parade steps off at noon on Sunday, June 26, from the intersection of Montrose and Broadway in Uptown, and ends near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan in Lincoln Park.
Upwards of 750,000 people line the streets of the north side of Chicago for the event. Pets are welcome, but keep in mind that the rules still apply and open alcohol is not allowed on city streets.
Traffic Alert: Broadway CLOSED between Sunnyside and Diversey.
Date: Saturday, June 25
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: West Loop
Passion Pit headlines the historic annual block party that benefits area education and outreach programs. The event is in a parking lot on Morgan between Taylor and Roosevelt.
A bags tournament, food trucks and lots of alcohol attract the adult crowd to this 21+ event.
PHISH at Wrigley Field
Date: Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago
LivePhish.com will webcast live from Phish’s 2-Night Sold Out show at Wrigley Field this Friday & Saturday. Shows begin at 7:00 p.m. and there will be additional traffic in the area.
Date: Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday
Location: Evanston
From the official website: The festival takes place in downtown Evanston, just steps from the eponymous Fountain Square. It also features a popular children’s art tent with fun activities overseen by the acclaimed Evanston Art Center, food, and a soothing jazz-centric music lineup.
Saturday night enjoy a beer tasting with tickets for $25 that include 15 tastings.
Traffic Alert: Sherman at Clark Closed
Public Transportation – Purple Line CTA L Train to Davis
From TravelMidwest.com: The ramps connecting eastbound I-88 to northbound Farnsworth Avenue and northbound Farnsworth Avenue to westbound I-88 will be closed permanently for removal and detours will be posted. Traffic on eastbound I-88 exiting to northbound Farnsworth Avenue will be detoured via Diehl Road, Eola Road and Butterfield Road. Traffic on northbound Farnsworth Avenue entering westbound I-88 will be detoured via a similar route using Butterfield Road, Eola Road and Bilter Road.
Ramp closures and detours will also be put in place for the ramps connecting eastbound I-88 to southbound Farnsworth Avenue and southbound Farnsworth Avenue to westbound I-88 as work begins to reconfigure the ramps. Traffic for both these ramps will be detoured via Illinois Route 31 and Indian Trail Road. These ramps will reopen this summer.
Roadwork on Illinois 390 at I-290: On Saturday, June 25, one eastbound lane on Illinois Route 390 between Meacham Road and I-290 is scheduled to close at 9 p.m., followed by second lane closure at 11 p.m. to prepare for bridge beam placement.
At 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 26, a full closure of the ramp connecting Meacham Road to eastbound Illinois Route 390 and I-290 is scheduled and traffic will be detoured. The ramp is scheduled to reopen by 7 a.m. and all lanes are scheduled to reopen by 10 a.m. Sunday, June 26.
Meacham Road Ramp from TravelMidwest.com
Weekend CTA Travel Alerts
Cumberland station service impacts
BLUE LINE
Jun 24 – 25
10 p.m on Friday to 6p.m. on Saturday
Boarding Change, Delays Between Harlem (O’Hare branch) and Rosemont
Board/exit all trains on the Forest Park-bound side of the platform at the Cumberland station.
Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between Harlem (O’Hare branch) and Rosemont, resulting in minor delays.
Jun 25 – 26
6:00 p.m. Saturday to 6:00 a.m. Sunday
Boarding Change, Delays Between Rosemont and Harlem (O’Hare branch)
Board/exit all trains on the O’Hare-bound side of the platform at the Cumberland station.
Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between Rosemont and Harlem (O’Hare branch), resulting in minor delays.
PRIDE Parade
From the CTA: CTA offers convenient service for those attending the 2016 Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26. To avoid crowded areas like Belmont, attendees are advised to consider viewing the parade from areas like Broadway, south of Montrose — a short walk from the Wilson and Sheridan stations on the Red Line. For more information, tips and a map and information, visit our Chicago Pride Parade page.
RED, ORANGE, BROWN,BLUE LINES Sun, Jun 26 Increased Capacity/More Frequent Service Red Line: More frequent service will operate between 95th and Howard every 5 to 8 minutes from 9am to 7pm. Orange Line: Longer trains will operate between Midway and the Loop, 8am to 6pm. Brown Line: Longer trains will operate between Kimball and the Loop every 7 to 8 minutes from 8am to 5pm. Blue Line: Longer trains will operate between O’Hare and Forest Park from 8am to 11pm. Why is service being changed? Added service is being provided for the convenience of customers attending the 2016 Chicago Pride Parade.
LOOP ‘L’: ORANGE,GREEN, PINK, BROWN LINES Jun 24 – 27 10pm Fri to 4am Mon Trains Rerouted Downtown: Lake and Wabash Closed How does this affect my trip? Orange, Green, Pink and Brown Line trains will be rerouted on the west side of the loop.
(CHICAGO) A man accused of trying to sexually assault a woman on a CTA Red Line train on the North Side on Sunday was arrested a day later, after he started smoking on a train and drew the notice of a security guard.
Ronald Sparks, 34, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault for attacking the woman between the Fullerton and North/Clybourn stations, police claim.
Surveillance footage of a man suspected of attempting to sexually assault a woman on a North Side Red Line train early Sunday | Chicago Police
The suspect and the woman were the only passengers on a southbound Red Line car when he attacked her about 5 a.m. Sunday, according to police. Authorities later released a surveillance photo of the man.
Sparks was arrested about 1:45 a.m. Monday in the 800 block of North State Street, after an Action K-9 Security agent saw that he matched the description of the suspected attacker, police said.
The agent first noticed Sparks because he was smoking inside a CTA train car, police said.
Sparks, of the 7700 block of North Throop, was also issued a municipal ordinance violation for smoking on the CTA, police said.
Sparks is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing Tuesday.
(CHICAGO) CTA Brown Line riders will need to plan for extra travel time this weekend as track work reroutes elevated Loop trains onto the Red Line subway tracks.
Ongoing work on the Ravenswood Connector – the two-mile section of elevated track between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart – will require Brown Line trains to be rerouted underground starting at 8 p.m. Friday, according to the CTA. The reroute will last until 4 a.m. Monday.
During this time, all Brown Line trains south of Fullerton will operate on the underground Red Line tracks making all stops between North/Clybourn and Roosevelt in both directions, the CTA said. Brown Line trains will operate like normal between Kimball and Fullerton.
Riders that normally need to board or exit from the Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago and Merchandise Mart stations will be able to take free shuttle buses in both directions between Fullerton and Clark/Lake, the CTA said.
A shuttle train will also operate around the Loop to connect Brown Line service in the subway with shuttle buses at Clark/Lake, according to the CTA. Riders can board this train from the platforms normally served by the Brown Line at all elevated Loop stations.
The track construction work will require 10 additional temporary, weekend-only reroutes of Brown Line trains to subway tracks, which are scheduled through the fall of 2015. The next reroute is tentatively scheduled from May 8-11
(CHICAGO) The CTA’s ambitious $1.7 billion Red and Purple Modernization project will be completed in two phases over four years, starting with the closure of the Lawrence and Berwyn stations for 18 months beginning in 2017.
The CTA announced details of the plan on Wednesday as the agency released its environmental review documents, which are required to apply for federal funding, design a project and gain public feedback, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
The project, announced last spring, will rebuild four stations from Lawrence to Bryn Mawr, as well as a mile of track infrastructure, bridges and viaducts between them on the Red and Purple Lines. The project also involves a bypass or “flyover,” separating the northbound Brown Line from the Red and Purple lines on a new elevated track just north of Belmont. Details on the bypass are pending an environmental assessment, which should be released later this spring.
Here’s how the project will affect commuters if the CTA gets the funding for the hefty project. The transit agency currently has $50 million in state, local and federal funds.
For the first 18 months, crews will close the Berwyn and Lawrence stations, keeping the Thorndale, Bryn Mawr, Argyle and Wilson stations open. During that time, Purple and Red Line trains will run on two tracks, instead of four.
In the second phase of the project — which will last between 18 and 24 months — the CTA will create a new temporary station at Foster and Winona and close the nearby Argyle, Berwyn and Lawrence stations. The Bryn Mawr station also will be open to southbound riders only. Those trains will run on two tracks between the Bryn Mawr and Wilson stations.
Spokeswoman Tammy Chase said the need for repair at these stations is crucial.
“These are stations that are approaching 100 years old,” Chase said. “Right now we are at capacity on certain parts of our rail line. We can’t add more trains. We’re getting to the point where we can’t add additional trains.”
The station redo will allow for elevators. The CTA currently has no wheelchair- accessible stations between the Granville and Addison stations.
Chase said it’s too early to predict any delays riders may encounter during the project.
“Any impact on travel times would be confined to weekday rush service, when Purple Line service is in service,” Chase said.
During the morning rush, about 19,600 rides are taken on the southbound Red and Purple lines from either Howard or Linden to Belmont.
She said it’s most comparable to what riders at the Wilson station are experiencing as crews continue to rebuild a section of track and the station until next spring. That project has added about two to four minutes between Howard and Belmont during the morning rush and between four to six minutes of extra travel time for Purple Line trains between Howard and Belmont during the morning rush.
The CTA initially hoped to acquire three properties for the project, but learned it only needed one property, a used car dealership in the 5600 block of North Broadway. The transit agency has not yet acquired the property. The CTA hopes to use that space to store construction materials.
A public hearing will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway. The environmental impact study for the Red-Purple Bypass — which has stirred some controversy over its size, and the property it may take to build it — will be released later this spring, with another public hearing being held on the bypass, the CTA said.
Written comments will also be accepted through May 29 via mail.
(CHICAGO) Up to 19,000 Red Line and Purple Express Line riders could have longer morning commutes for a year starting March 9, when the next phase of the CTA’s Wilson Station Reconstruction project begins.
During that time, the westernmost of four tracks between Wilson and Belmont will be taken out of commission and the Purple Express trains that use it now will instead share a Red Line North track during the morning rush hour, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
Loop-bound Purple Express riders could see their morning trips lengthened by 4 to 6 minutes while their trains take on additional stops at Wilson, Sheridan and Addison.
Inbound Red Line North riders could see 2- to 4-minute longer morning commutes — roughly between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. — when their trains will share tracks with Purple Express trains between Wilson and Belmont, Chicago Transit Authority officials said.
“The overall impact to the daily commute should be relatively minor and limited to the a.m. rush,” CTA spokesman Brian Steele said. It should not affect outbound, weekend or off-peak riders, he said.
Existing train schedules will remain in effect and for some Red Line or Purple Express riders, depending on the circumstances, “there could be no impact,” CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase said.
Even so, CTA officials recommended that riders traveling over affected portions of the Red and Purple Express Lines allow extra morning commute time starting March 9.
The track changes will allow the CTA to replace the westernmost track and supports stretching about 2200 feet on either side of the Wilson Station as part of the $203 million Wilson Station reconstruction.
During that time, the CTA also will be building a new southbound Wilson platform. In addition, temporary entrances on the north and south side of Wilson, as well as a temporary exit near Sunnyside, will be constructed. Those access points will open during the next phase of the project, which is due for overall completion in the fall of 2017.
The finished project will transform a station that dates to 1923 into a transfer point for the Purple Line Express, featuring two elevators with access to platforms and wheelchair access at fare gates.
(CHICAGO) Construction on CTA train tracks and stations will close portions of the Red and Green lines throughout the weekend.
From 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Sunday, southbound Red Line trains will be rerouted from the subway to operate on the elevated tracks between the Fullerton and Cermak-Chinatown stations as crews continue subway maintenance work, according to the CTA. Northbound Red Line service will not be affected.
Rerouted southbound Red Line trains will stop at the following elevated stations: Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago/Franklin, Merchandise Mart, Clark/Lake, State/Lake, Randolph/Wabash, Madison/Wabash, Adams/Wabash and Roosevelt.
From 1:40 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday, Green Line service between the Roosevelt and 35th-Bronzeville-IIT stations will be suspended as crews work on the construction of the new Cermak-McCormick Place station, the transit agency said.
Free bus shuttles will operate in both directions between the Roosevelt and 35th-Bronzeville-IIT stations to accommodate Green Line riders, the CTA said.
Passengers should plan for extra travel time on both train lines throughout the weekend. Normal Green and Red line service will be provided for the Monday morning commute.
