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CTA approves repairs of Chicago elevated lines
Too bad they can’t soften some of the curves while they’re at it. When built, the north side L bent its way around every building, taking the path of cheapest acquisition. Now some of the properties it goes around are empty lots and have been for decades.
They did ease the S curve where the Wabash L goes half a block west to the alley south of the Loop.
While recently in Chicago, I was impressed with the work the CTA has done on the L’s.
The Lake St. L is now fast and enjoyable (Green-Pink). That entire run was slow ordered for many years. Running that long stretch at 55mph is a joy.
The Cermak L (Pink) was rebuilt several years ago and is now a speedy journey.
The L north of the loop to the State St. Subway merger (Red) is slow ordered most of the way. Those alerters on the cars constantly sounding alarms.
Lastly, the Evanston rush hour expresses(Purple) are a joke. According to employees, the inner Red Line tracks were rebuilt to Howard from Fullerton but not the outer express tracks. The poor Evanston “expresses” just crawl all the way to Howard. It’s almost faster to ride a Red Line Howard train making all stops and change at Howard.
Improving the structures is certainly needed as the corrosion is plain to see. This same situation also exists throughout the nation on Class 1 railroad bridges which are becoming great piles of rusty junk. The RR’s seem to like to wait and get the government to help them refurbish their structures. This is wrong and the RR’s should do a better job of caring for their bridges themselves. What about line items in the annual budget for bridge improvements?
Rust and corrosion is clearly visible on many elevated structures and the CTA needs to aggressively take an active part on repair of the infrastructure before its too late and they collapse.