CTA Yellow Line Service Suspended For Weekend Repairs

SKOKIE, IL — Yellow Line trains will come to a halt this weekend as the Chicago Transit Authority shuts down service for scheduled track cleaning and maintenance.

Planned track cleaning and maintenance work, which will start early Saturday and run continuously through Sunday night, will require full closure of the Yellow Line between Howard and Dempster, officials said.

To assist riders, the CTA will operate a free shuttle bus in both directions between the Howard and Dempster stations, stopping near Oakton Street. The shuttle service is scheduled every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on both days.

The maintenance closure comes nearly a year after a Yellow Line train collided with a snowplow near the Howard station, injuring dozens of passengers and CTA employees.

The Nov. 16, 2023, collision, which occurred during a snow removal exercise, prompted months of investigation and led to temporary service adjustments on the line, including a reduced speed limit of 35 mph and updates to CTA safety protocols.

The National Transportation Safety Board's ongoing investigation revealed that the Yellow Line train operator had a blood alcohol concentration above the federal limit at the time of the crash and noted a design flaw in the train’s braking system.

In response, CTA officials introduced several safety enhancements, including additional communication protocols and supervisory oversight on initial runs. Service resumed in January after extensive testing, and CTA officials say they continue to monitor operations closely.

Read more: CTA Yellow Line Operator In Crash That Injured 38 Had More Than Twice Legal Alcohol Limit