Join the discussion on the following article:
Chicago Blue Line to get additional federal funding
Why do the trains need to be turned (at Jefferson Park and UIC); don’t they have control cabs at both ends?
There is already a middle track at both locations capable of holding an eight car train and the CTA has before turned trains at each. The old destination sign rolls had spots for each location before it was labeled as the blue line. All the motorman does after switching to the middle track is walk to the other end of the train and operate from that end. Just don’t understand the need to build new ones. I really wonder what this money is for as this is Illinois and political games run rampant.
With the splitting off of the former Douglas branch as the Pink Line, almost half of the trains currently turn back at UIC using the Morgan Middle track.
No doubt a third track at Jeff Park and maybe at Damen North would allow express trains to pass making ORD to downtown 30 minutes.