The Chicago Transit Authority is notorious for delays and finding various ways to nudge riders towards the edge. While most commuters are still getting over the transition to Ventra, the CTA has quietly been plotting a medley of projects that will make life easier for some, and a bit more painful for others.
Here are five projects from the Authority to keep an eye out for this year that are either in proposal or in development:
4G wireless service in the subway
In January, Mayor Emanuel's office announced a $32.5 million deal to bring 4G wireless service to the CTA's subway system. The city is hoping for the installation to be completed by the end of the year, at which time riders will be able to enjoy uninterrupted access to email, Tinder and Words with Friends during their commute.
Belmont Bypass
Currently, making a "Belmont Transfer" is nearly as uncomfortable as its alternate meaning. Northbound Brown Line trains leaving Belmont interfere with the Red Line in both directions and southbound Purple Line trains. The proposed $320 million Red-Purple Bypass project would make a "flyover" track that would elevate over the rest of the junction, requiring the city to purchase 16 buildings and a few parking lots. A large faction of Lakeview residents have rallied against the project, but it looks like the CTA and mayor's office are just going to push it through anyway.
Ashland Bus Rapid Transit
Another controversial proposal from the CTA is the Ashland BRT, a system that would provide an express bus route along the 16 miles of Ashland Avenue between Irving Park Road and 95th Street. The project would add an extra bus lane in each direction, knocking out a lot of residential street parking in the process. The proposal would also ban most of the left turns off of Ashland, which has residents concerned that motorists will flood into nearby side streets. If the plan goes as promised, a trip between Beverly and Wicker Park would take about 45 minutes. On the current 9 bus, that trip can take well over an hour.
Central Loop Bus Rapid Transit
The CTA is apparently going bananas over the idea of slightly faster bus routes. Last fall, the city announced that it was seeking bids on the Central Loop BRT, which would bring bus-only lanes to Washington, Madison, Canal and Clinton Streets downtown. Unlike the Ashland project, the Loop construction will include a set of protected bike lanes. The CTA hopes that the new lanes will reduce the travel time between Union Station and Michigan Avenue by 15 percent (so, you know, by about five minutes). The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Washington-Wabash El Station
The new Loop El station will replace the dilapidated Madison and Randolph stations with a way cooler, more modern design. The project is umbrellaed by the same funding as the Central Loop Bus Rapid Transit, and will start to make Jewelers Row look like a place that actually houses a whole mess of diamonds. The station is scheduled to open in early 2016.