CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Transit Authority is planning a $492 million
upgrade to a portion of the agency’s rail lines that could cut 10 minutes
off the time to travel between O’Hare International Airport and the city’s
downtown.
The four-year project announced Thursday includes improvements to a
12.5-mile stretch of the CTA’s Blue Line, which runs to the airport and
downtown. The project also includes repairs or major renovations to 11
stations as well as the elimination of certain slow zones.
City officials say the project would be the biggest investment on the rail
line since it was extended to reach the airport 30 years ago.
Authorities say passengers took 25 million rides last year along the section
of the Blue Line that runs between downtown and O’Hare.