No CTA Yellow Line Reopening Date More Than 2 Weeks After Skokie Swift Crash Near Howard

SKOKIE, IL — More than two weeks after a CTA Yellow Line train collided with a piece of snow removal equipment on the tracks near Howard Street, the Chicago Transit Authority has yet to determine when service on the line can resume.

"Safety is our No. 1 consideration. The CTA is currently engaged in an extremely thorough review of all aspects of the Yellow Line, from signals to tracks to equipment, as well as testing trains to ensure safe operation," CTA representative said in a statement. "These activities require time to perform. Once this review is complete, service will resume."

On the morning of Nov. 16, an inbound Skokie Swift carrying 31 passengers was headed toward the Howard Street station at a clip of about 27 mph when it struck a snow plow containing CTA employees engaged in a training exercise, according to federal transportation safety officials.

"Our team was able to determine that it was, in fact, a design problem," National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters, explaining the brakes should have been stronger.

"The braking distance should have been longer. A brand-new system today, with the same track, they should have had 2,745 feet to stop that train — 2,745 feet, not 1,780 feet — that is a design problem," Homendy said. "And why is it different today? Over time cars get heavier, there's more passengers. We'll have to look at some changes that have been made to the system. That's, essentially, an old design."

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UPDATE: Moments Before CTA Yellow Line Crash Detailed In Federal Report

CTA officials said they are closely cooperating with NTSB, "including keeping the NTSB apprised of our review and testing of the Yellow Line prior to reopening."

At least four of the 38 people injured in the crash have filed lawsuits against the CTA, alleging the train was operated negligently.

Homendy said there is no sign the conductor, who was among the nearly two dozen people taken to area hospitals after the crash, could have done anything differently to stop the train faster.

The NTSB chair said she had no concerns about the safety of the rest of the CTA system.

"You are much safer taking the train than driving, which is, again, annual deaths of 43,000, millions injured. You are much safer taking the train," she said. "I would take the train tonight, tomorrow. I have no safety concerns about taking the train."

CTA is offering free shuttle service connecting the Howard station with the Oakton and Dempster Yellow Line stations in Skokie. More than 1,500 people a day normally travel on Skokie Swift trains.

Earlier:

• Nearly 40 Injured In Train Crash, Derailment At Howard Street Station
• CTA Yellow Line Crash Probed By NTSB Investigators
• Passengers Hurt In CTA Yellow Line Crash Begin Filing Lawsuits
• CTA Yellow Line Still Suspended 11 Days After Crash That Injured 38