Longer Commute for Brown Line Riders Starts Friday

It’s been a bad week for CTA Brown Line riders, and things aren’t going to get better.

On Tuesday morning, a stalled train at Addison kept passengers waiting for more than an hour. A day later, another train stalled because of a defective door at the Chicago Brown Line Stop. 

Riders can expect more delays next week, as the CTA will reduce service while reconstructing the Wells Bridge over the Chicago River. The maintenance starts Friday and goes until March 10—mainly effecting Brown and Purple Line riders.

“Leave early or late,” CTA officials warn. 

Construction will effect 700 trains every weekday and nearly 500 on the weekend, according to the CTA. And the overflow of riders could put extra strain on the Red Line during rush hour. 

"CTA strongly encourages its customers to plan ahead for longer commutes by leaving earlier, changing travel patterns or consider alternative service,” CTA officials said in a statement. “During these periods, CTA train service will be significantly impacted, including reduced capacity on the Red and Brown lines during the rush period."  

Service changes will start Friday at 10 p.m. and go until March 10. The 90-year-old bridge will see extensive reconstruction, and the Chicago Department of Transportation will replace some of the tracks on and near the bridge. 

One of every three Brown Line trains will stop at Merchandise Mart, with the others using the Red Line tunnel and ending at the Roosevelt station, officials said.  

Shuttle buses will take riders to the Loop where train service is reduced.

Friday begins the first of two 9-day periods, with the second occurring in late April. 

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Service changes include: 

• Brown Line trains will only run between Kimball and Merchandise Mart during rush periods with “substantially reduced frequency.” Outside of rush hour, Brown Line trains will run every 10 to 12 minutes between those stops.

• Some Brown Line trains going toward the Loop will be rerouted into the Red Line subway after Fullerton during rush hour. The destination signs on these trains will read "Roosevelt" on a red background to differentiate them from trains operating to Merchandise Mart.

• Some Brown Line trains to Kimball, during rush periods, will originate from Roosevelt on the Red Line Subway, making all normal Red Line stops through Fullerton, where they will continue making all Brown Line stops to Kimball.

• The No. 22 Clark Bus, No. 146 Michigan Express and No. 147 Outer Drive Express will have extra service.

• A free bus shuttle will run at all hours of the Brown Line service between the Chicago station and the Loop.

See the CTA website for the full list of closures and alternate routes.