CTA Customer Service reports Purple Line rail service is back to normal this morning after being shut down for the weekend so workers could install a new viaduct at Church Street.
A truck-mounted conveyor raises gravel from the street Sunday to become ballast between the rail ties on the new bridge.
After moving the new steel bridge into position on Saturday, crews spent the day Sunday laying track and doing other finishing work.
(Allison Williams photo)
The new 92.5 foot-long steel viaduct replaces a deteriorated century-old concrete bridge. The new clear-span viaduct eliminates support posts that created traffic hazards under the bridge. CTA officials say it will also have better lighting for pedestrians and drivers.
It’s the second of six planned viaduct replacement projects along the Purple Line in Evanston. The first, at Main Street, was completed last year. The schedule for replacing others hasn’t been determined yet.
The Purple Line handled over three-million passenger rides last year.
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