| Pink Line (chicago Transit Authority) |
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Pink Line is the name of a new Rapid Transit service to be operated by the Chicago Transit Authority in Chicago, Illinois for a trial period of 180 days. The line will reroute most service from what is now the Cermak Branch of the Blue Line (a.k.a. "Douglas branch") via the currently non-revenue Paulina Connector and the Green Line on Lake Street to reach and circle the Chicago Loop . BACKGROUND In January 2005, the CTA held hearings on its proposal to reroute trains from 54/Cermak via the recently rebuilt Paulina Connector to the Lake Street Green Line , carrying 54th/Cermak Branch trains to and around the elevated Chicago Loop (clockwise) for the first time since Douglas trains began using the Dearborn Avenue Subway in downtown Chicago in 1958. This would allow a doubling of Blue Line trains to Forest Park on the Congress Line, since service would no longer be divided between the Forest Park and 54/Cermak destinations. The CTA has also promised that service to/from 54/Cermak would be increased 50% during rush hour. At the initial time of proposal, this plan was often referred to as the "Silver Line," as the original idea was to use grey as the line color on printed materials and give it the friendlier route name of "Silver." Opposition to the plan centers on loss of access to other Blue Line destinations such as UIC campus. The CTA has said that two rush hour trains per hour from 54th/Cermak (Douglas) will be routed through the subway to O'Hare . On February 15, 2006, the CTA approved the separate plan. Non-rush hour trains would all be routed via the Loop, Green Line, and Paulina Connector. During rush hour, service will be available on this routing as well as the original route via the Dearborn Avenue Subway. These changes are scheduled to be implemented beginning June 25, 2006. The trial period will conclude 180 days later on December 22, 2006. TRIAL OPERATION The Pink Line is to begin operation on June 25, 2006, using a rebuilt connecting line that has not been used in regular revenue service for nearly 50 years. The service, to be run for a trial period of 180 days, will reroute trains of the current Blue Line Cermak Branch in Cicero, Illinois from its current connection with the Congress Expressway branch of the same Blue Line north to the Green Line on Lake Street and then to the elevated Loop structure downtown. Currently trains of the Douglas branch operate via the Dearborn Street subway through to O'Hare Airport . On March 30 , 2006 , the Chicago Transit Authority announced that of the top three colors, Pink, Gold and Silver, Pink had received the most votes in a write-in essay contest for Chicago-area schoolchildren in kindergarten through 8th grade. Later in 2006, the CTA will award a $1,000 Savings Bond to a selected essay writer who advocated the color pink.Chicago Transit Authority. And the color is... Pink Line . Last updated March 30, 2006. Retrieved March 30, 2006. POSSIBLE ROUTE TO RAVENSWOOD In 2002, the CTA proposed the creation of the "Circle Line" (a part of the City of Chicago Central Area Plan ), which would utilize segments of existing rail lines to keep new construction to a minimum, in addition to new subway and elevated segments to the 'L' system to complete the circumferential route. Maps additionally suggested a possible extension of the existing Brown Line beyond the loop to 54/Cermak via the Green Line and the Paulina connector, and Orange Line service from Midway Airport to Kimball, as other potential routings using the new infrastructure. This project is currently undergoing a standard federally-mandated alternatives analysis. REFERENCES SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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