WICKER PARK — Beginning at 9 p.m. Monday, North Avenue just west of Wicker Park's main hub is scheduled to be closed to overnight vehicle traffic for 70 days, due to the renovation of the CTA Damen Blue Line "L" station and track repairs, it was announced Wednesday.
Raymond Valadez, a spokesman for Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) said that the ward office received a construction activity notice from the CTA on Wednesday about the street closures, which will also impact Damen Avenue beginning Oct. 20.
"We are distributing the flier to get the word out. We don't want cars or people to get hurt," Valadez said
The impending street closures are due to work on the renovation of the CTA Damen "L" station at 1558 N. Damen Ave. as part of the Chicago Transit Authority's "Your New Blue" modernization program, a $492 million project.
The street closures will also coincide with a closure of the station from Oct. 20 to Dec. 22.
The CTA No. 72 North Avenue and No. 50 Damen buses will be rerouted around the closures.
One side of the street will be maintained for pedestrians at all times.
North Avenue, just east and west of the elevated tracks, is scheduled to be closed to vehicle traffic for a 70-day period (Oct. 13-Dec. 22) from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Damen Avenue, just north and south of the elevated tracks, is scheduled to be closed to vehicle traffic for a 63-day period, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
The station, which opened in 1895, will in October start to get an upgrade that will include wider gates, and more turnstiles and bike racks. Its historic features will be preserved and restored, officials said. There will be more passenger room, with the removal of a concession area.
The Damen stop will be closed between Oct. 20 and Dec. 22 for the work, which also includes improvements to the stationhouse exterior, interior and platforms. There will be structural repairs, painting, new platforms and better lights and signs.
The CTA confirmed in September that the renovations will not include an elevator.
Damen and North Street Closure Notice
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