CHICAGO — The CTA will be replacing tracks along the Purple Line Express as part of a modernization project that has pumped $5 billion into the "L" system, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Thursday morning.
The $30 million project will restore Purple Line tracks that are more than 100 years old between the Jarvis and Lawrence stations, making for a smoother, faster and more reliable ride for the 13,000 commuters who use it each day, the city said via a news release.
“Modernizing our rail lines has been a critical piece of the comprehensive investment we’re making in Chicago’s world-class transit system. This major investment in the Purple Line Express complements improvements we are making to rail service throughout the city, and will provide better service to customers who live in Chicago or are commuting into the city to work, go to school or visit this great city," Emanuel said.
The four-month project is scheduled to begin July 20 with construction done only on weeknights and weekends to minimize impact on riders. The work will have minimal to no impact on Red Line service except for occasional reroutes to Red Line tracks. The work will have no impact on regularly scheduled Purple Line Express service, the city said.
Due to the current status of the tracks, Purple Line Express trains headed to and from the Loop must travel through several slow zones. The project is expected to be completed by the end of November, the city said.
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