![]() The CTA projects that ridership on the Red, Purple, and Brown Lines will soon greatly exceed the capacity of the Clark Junction Credit: CTA “The project is for the 25 percent growth in the corridor that’s projected over the next 20 years-and that’s a conservative projection.” ![]() “While we can live without the flyover today, it’s more to deal with the future,” says DePaul University transportation expert Joseph Schwieterman. The CTA estimates that, by unclogging the so-called Clark Junction, the bypass will allow the agency to add up to eight more Red Line trains, carrying 30 percent (7,200) more riders per hour during rush periods. Ridership along the Red Line corridor north of Belmont grew by 40 percent between 20, according to CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase. Local transit experts and advocates argue that the flyover is essential for meeting future demand. But hurdles to the project remain: the CTA still needs to find $1.9 billion in funding for the first phase of plan, and many central Lakeview residents are bitterly opposed to the flyover, which would require the demolition of 16 buildings. ![]() Construction could start as early as late 2017. The flyover, and the rest of the modernization plan, recently got the federal go-ahead after passing an environmental review by the Federal Transit Administration. The current track configuration forces southbound Purple and Red Line trains, and northbound Red Line trains to wait while northbound Brown Line trains cross the tracks. This $570 million proposal would unsnarl the junction north of Belmont-where Brown Line trains cross Red and Purple Line tracks-by building a roller-coaster-like overpass. The agency says the project’s single most important time-saving and capacity-building element is the Red-Purple Bypass, better known as the Belmont flyover. This multibillion-dollar initiative will completely overhaul the nearly 100-year-old Red Line from Belmont to Howard and the Purple Line from Belmont to Linden, in suburban Wilmette. The CTA is planning to address overcrowding on north-side el lines with the upcoming Red-Purple Modernization project. “You’re waiting ten or 15 minutes for a train, while the platform’s just loading up with people.” “They don’t run enough trains,” said Lockett, who moved here from New York City about a year ago. Damon Lockett, a copywriter who commutes daily from Edgewater to River North, told me that overcrowded trains are typical during peak hours nowadays. When I rode the Red Line from Uptown to downtown during the morning rush last week, my rail car was as packed as a sardine can by the time we left the Belmont stop. Best of Chicago 2022: Sports & Recreation.Best of Chicago 2022: Music & Nightlife.
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