Blue Line Reconstruction

[Sam92]

50 minutes ago, Mr.NewFlyer1279 said:

the only thing i’m aware of is slow speeds by morgan middle

sorry if this is a dumb question, but when you say they aren't programmed does that mean the signals are not displaying any aspects and thus resulting in "dark territory" and the speed restrictions? 

[Mr.NewFlyer1279]

3 hours ago, Sam92 said:

sorry if this is a dumb question, but when you say they aren't programmed does that mean the signals are not displaying any aspects and thus resulting in "dark territory" and the speed restrictions? 

correct the signals have black garbage bag looking wraps wrapped around em or a black tarp and due to ongoing work speed restrictions are in place until mid november 

[Sam92]

3 minutes ago, Mr.NewFlyer1279 said:

correct the signals have black garbage bag looking wraps wrapped around em or a black tarp and due to ongoing work speed restrictions are in place until mid november 

Ahh ok. That makes this phase 1 opening back up as soon as it did ironic lmao. Morgan Middle takes up a pretty decent part of the area that was shutdown for slow zone elimination just to reopen and still deal with a slow zone (albeit signal vs track related) in the same area lol. Might as well added an extra month to the shutdown and got it all done ?

[Busjack]

9 minutes ago, Sam92 said:

Ahh ok. That makes this phase 1 opening back up as soon as it did ironic lmao. Morgan Middle takes up a pretty decent part of the area that was shutdown for slow zone elimination just to reopen and still deal with a slow zone (albeit signal vs track related) in the same area lol. Might as well added an extra month to the shutdown and got it all done ?

I don't think the passengers would have tolerated that.

This isn't much different than opening 2 platforms at Wilson and then closing one.

[Mr.NewFlyer1279]

#212 is short turning at LaSalle due to ongoing construction 

[Busjack]

10 minutes ago, Mr.NewFlyer1279 said:

#212 is short turning at LaSalle due to ongoing construction 

The CTA Announcement explained this:

Though track-replacement work is now complete, work continues on the reconstruction of a train-turnaround area just west of UIC-Halsted station called Morgan Middle. As result, riders on the Blue Line will continue to see a slight and temporary reduction in trips.

CTA typically uses that turnaround to “short-turn” trains—turning Forest Park-bound trains back north at UIC-Halsted to head back toward O’Hare—which allows for more trains to be added into service on the busiest parts of the Blue Line between downtown and the O’Hare Branch.

While the reconstruction of Morgan Middle continues, CTA will continue to short-turn a few trains during the AM and PM rush hours near LaSalle, as has been done during the construction project. During this phase of construction, most Blue Line trains will need to travel all the way to Forest Park. Those longer trips require more workers to account for the additional distance and time meaning fewer available to operate more Blue Line trains.

In Mid-November, when work on Morgan Middle is complete, CTA will add back rail service to previous levels.

[jackathan]

Kind of late, but this is the Forest Park Rebuild in a nutshell. Worth the hassle of inconvenience on the Blue Line.

[Busjack]

CTA Press Release that with Morgan Middle reopened, short turns are being reinstated (no effective date in the announcement, but apparently was effective on the 10/8/23 timetable).

[artthouwill]

20 minutes ago, Busjack said:

CTA Press Release that with Morgan Middle reopened, short turns are being reinstated (no effective date in the announcement, but apparently was effective on the 10/8/23 timetable).

Not sure but I haven't seen any short turns so far.  Maybe they will take place next pick. Or if u see any, I will post about it  

[wayfaringrob]

On 11/9/2023 at 1:03 PM, artthouwill said:

Not sure but I haven't seen any short turns so far.  Maybe they will take place next pick. Or if u see any, I will post about it  

They started Monday - just a half dozen or so during each rush.

[Jstange059]

Procuring design work for the rebuilding of the Forest Park branch. 

It looks like they aim to start construction of the Kedzie to Keeler segment in the 2028 season alongside a reconstruction of the Pulaski station

They also float the idea of an eventual Central station reopening

https://transitchicago.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/201536

C25FI103258528 Solicitation.pdf

[wayfaringrob]

20 hours ago, Jstange059 said:

Procuring design work for the rebuilding of the Forest Park branch. 

It looks like they aim to start construction of the Kedzie to Keeler segment in the 2028 season alongside a reconstruction of the Pulaski station

They also float the idea of an eventual Central station reopening

https://transitchicago.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/201536

C25FI103258528 Solicitation.pdf 4.91 MB · 6 downloads

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a test section of concrete ties near Pulaski as well.

[artthouwill]

21 hours ago, Jstange059 said:

Procuring design work for the rebuilding of the Forest Park branch. 

It looks like they aim to start construction of the Kedzie to Keeler segment in the 2028 season alongside a reconstruction of the Pulaski station

They also float the idea of an eventual Central station reopening

https://transitchicago.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/201536

C25FI103258528 Solicitation.pdf 4.91 MB · 11 downloads

That's a painfully slow stretch. 

 

I don't quite understand the rationale for a new ( reopened) station at Central.  There's a reason why it closed in the first place  

[Shannon tahoeppv]

On 9/13/2025 at 3:54 PM, Jstange059 said:

Procuring design work for the rebuilding of the Forest Park branch. 

It looks like they aim to start construction of the Kedzie to Keeler segment in the 2028 season alongside a reconstruction of the Pulaski station

They also float the idea of an eventual Central station reopening

https://transitchicago.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/201536

C25FI103258528 Solicitation.pdf 4.91 MB · 12 downloads

Dam I have to keep dealing with the slow zones on tge FP end when I make it over there lmfao 😭 

[Tcmetro]

Maybe more of a bus update but the bus bridge at Harlem-O'Hare Blue Line is reopening next Monday 3/23/2026 for the 88, 90, 209, and 423 routes.

https://www.transitchicago.com/travel-information/alert-detail/?AlertId=113867

[Elkmn]

YEAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!! 

[Elkmn]

https://www.transitchicago.com/travel-information/alert-detail/?AlertId=117054

 

full alert here

[Bus1883]

4 hours ago, Elkmn said:

YEAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!! 

Thought this would be Congress related by looking at your tweet (sigh)

[Busjack]

6 hours ago, Bus1883 said:

Thought this would be Congress related by looking at your tweet (sigh)

Tribune says 84% of the Forest Park branch consists of slow zones. Probably everything west of Damen.

[Elkmn]

11 hours ago, Busjack said:

Tribune says 84% of the Forest Park branch consists of slow zones. Probably everything west of Damen.

 

[Busjack]

49 minutes ago, Elkmn said:

 

Yeah, I figured that, but didn't think about looking for the Slow Zone Map until you posted it. The link to the July 2026 map is here, and obviously the 84% number came from it.  Seeing all the dark colors west of Paulina confirms my suspicion.  There was a recently closed solicitation for construction services for Kedzie-Pulaski, but obviously everything west of Cicero is bad (looks like a bunch of track and signal problems).

[artthouwill]

14 hours ago, Busjack said:

Yeah, I figured that, but didn't think about looking for the Slow Zone Map until you posted it. The link to the July 2026 map is here, and obviously the 84% number came from it.  Seeing all the dark colors west of Paulina confirms my suspicion.  There was a recently closed solicitation for construction services for Kedzie-Pulaski, but obviously everything west of Cicero is bad (looks like a bunch of track and signal problems).

40 minute travel time from Jackson to Forest Park.

[Elkmn]

Just went out west on the shuttle and they've completely torn up the track around the des plaines river bridge. Looks like they're also doing work at the really sharp curve by t5? I'll try to get some pics on my way back.

[Sam92]

23 hours ago, artthouwill said:

40 minute travel time from Jackson to Forest Park.

 

On 8/27/2026 at 10:02 PM, Busjack said:

Yeah, I figured that, but didn't think about looking for the Slow Zone Map until you posted it. The link to the July 2026 map is here, and obviously the 84% number came from it.  Seeing all the dark colors west of Paulina confirms my suspicion.  There was a recently closed solicitation for construction services for Kedzie-Pulaski, but obviously everything west of Cicero is bad (looks like a bunch of track and signal problems).

The least they could have done is do everything up to Cicero in one phase then limit the maintenance needed to the west half of the branch. At this rate the UIC to IMD phase will be in need of replacement 🫩

[Busjack]

1 hour ago, Sam92 said:

 

The least they could have done is do everything up to Cicero in one phase then limit the maintenance needed to the west half of the branch. At this rate the UIC to IMD phase will be in need of replacement 🫩

Depends on how much money they don't have. 🤑