It seems that CTA is serious about opening a "new" Silver Line by the end of next year. It will consist of the existing Blue Line Cermak branch, the Green Line east of Ashland and the Loop. The only new trackage will be the rehabilitated Paulina Connector with two new stations, one at Harrison with connection to the Blue Line Forest Park branch and at Madison near the United Center.
I'm wondering about the Loop routing. In my opinion (I haven't seen this specified anywhere) the Silver Line will probably turn south on the outer Loop and go around a la the Brown Line before heading back up Lake Street to the Paulina Connector. During rush hours Brown Line trains run about every 4 minutes. Is there enough track space to allow Silver Liner trains to share the route and not block up the connections at Wabash/Van Buren and Wells/Lake? The Loop can get pretty backed up as it is now.
Also, I assume CTA will retain the long ramp presently connecting the Cermak and Forest Park branches to allow cars assigned to the Blue Line access to the rest of the system?
I'm wondering about the Loop routing. In my opinion (I haven't seen this specified anywhere) the Silver Line will probably turn south on the outer Loop and go around a la the Brown Line before heading back up Lake Street to the Paulina Connector. During rush hours Brown Line trains run about every 4 minutes. Is there enough track space to allow Silver Liner trains to share the route and not block up the connections at Wabash/Van Buren and Wells/Lake? The Loop can get pretty backed up as it is now.
Also, I assume CTA will retain the long ramp presently connecting the Cermak and Forest Park branches to allow cars assigned to the Blue Line access to the rest of the system?
"Welcome aboard Orange Line run 711. Travel time to downtown is 25 minutes. Next stop will be Pulaski."