The CTA will be renewing over 6,700 feet of track in the Evanston slow zone from May to November. Work will occur under single tracks at night and on weekends to replace over 6,000 ties. This will mitigate slow zones until a major renewal is funded. Noise, lighting, and minor delays are expected during the project. Work will be done in phases by ward and include removing old ties, inserting new ties, spiking, ballasting, and tamping. Efforts to lessen the impact on the community include coordination meetings, scheduling noisier work earlier, and providing construction notices.

1. EVANSTON SLOW ZONE REMEDIATION
CTA Track Maintenance
April 22, 2013

2. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TODAY’S PRESENTATION
• Background
• Project Scope and Benefits
• What to Expect
• Tentative Project Schedule
• Track Renewal Process
• Efforts to Lessen Community Impact

3. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
BACKGROUND
• Originally constructed in
1908-12
• Track last renewed in 1976
• Typical useful life of 25 years
• Currently over 6,700 feet
(16%) of track-related slow
zones

4. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
PROJECT SCOPE & BENEFITS
• Goal to mitigate slow zones until
a major renewal is funded
• Selective track & spot tie renewal
• Project Duration: 7 Months
• Work will occur under single
tracks on nights and weekends
• Over 6000 ties replaced
• Customers will experience a
smoother, faster ride

5. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
PROJECT SCOPE & BENEFITS

6. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Sunday through Thursday night work
occurring between 9PM and 4:30AM
• Weekend daytime work between 7AM and
7PM
• Noise as work occurs
• Work zone lighting
• Minor delays to service and boarding
changes during single track operation
• Regular track maintenance will continue
weekdays 9AM – 2:30PM

7. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TENTATIVE PROJECT SCHEDULE
Phase
Affected
Wards
Track
Footage
Track
Slow
Zone May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Mulford St. to South Blvd. 3, 8, 9 700 ft
South Blvd. to Lee St. 3, 4, 9 3700 ft 2875 ft
Lee St. to Church St. 2, 3, 4 5200 ft 2732 ft
Church St. to Milburn St. 1, 2, 5, 7 4100 ft 821 ft
Milburn St. to Isabella St. 7 3300 ft 1454 ft
Isabella St. to Linden 7 500 ft
Construction Notices will be distributed to adjacent properties before work
begins in each area.

8. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TRACK RENEWAL PROCESS
Tie handler
• distributes new ties
• cleans up old ties

9. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TRACK RENEWAL PROCESS
Tie inserter
• Removes old ties
• Inserts new ties

10. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TRACK RENEWAL PROCESS
Production Spiker
• Drives spikes into ties

11. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TRACK RENEWAL PROCESS
Ballast cars
• Drops new stone ballast to fill in the track

12. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TRACK RENEWAL PROCESS
Ballast Regulator
• Distributes and shapes new stone ballast

13. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
TRACK RENEWAL PROCESS
Production Tamper
• Sets track alignment
• Tamps (compacts) stone ballast
• Creates a solid, smooth ride

14. DRAFT Presentation: For Internal Use Only
EFFORTS TO LESSEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Pre-construction coordination meetings with
Evanston city officials
• Biggest, most disruptive work will occur in spring
and fall
• Structured work shift so that loudest work occurs
before midnight
• Biggest production will occur on weekends during
the day
• Presentation to City Council members outlining
project scope and schedule
• Distribution of construction activity notices prior to
beginning work in a given area
• CTA Contact: Ryan Mouw, rmouw@transitchicago.com