CHICAGO — High-speed Internet access has come to the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line subway.
Well, at least one portion of the subway, for now.
The subway tracks between the Belmont and Logan Square stations along the O'Hare branch have been equipped with 4G Internet, the CTA and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Thursday
The announcement marked the completion of the first part of a project that will eventually bring Internet access to the stretches of the Red and Blue lines that run underground. CTA said it expects the project to be completed by the end of 2015.
When it is completed, Chicago will have the largest public transportation system with 4G access, the CTA said in a press release.
"This is part of the city's ongoing efforts to invest in 21st century technology for Chicago's world-class transit system, and expand economic opportunity for more Chicagoans throughout the city," Emanuel said in a statement.
The $32 million project's design and construction was funded by the country's four largest wireless providers — Sprint, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile — the CTA said.
Ultimately, all 22 miles of subway lines and platforms will have 4G access. And while part of the project's goal is to provide customers with a better experience, the new technology will help improve rides in other ways, too.
CTA President Dorval R. Carter said in a statement that the Internet access will "increase system safety measures by providing more reliable communication between CTA personnel and emergency responders."
The project will also create 50 jobs within the CTA, the agency said.
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