The CTA is frustrating residents near Belmont and Fullerton el stops with its lack of a timetable for the stations’ upgrades, as part of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project. The residents are also at odds with the CTA about a few more things. They say a fence to be constructed in the open area east of the historic Armitage station looks like a prison wall and they are worried about the CTA’s lack of a plan to provide off-site parking for the 150 construction workers, says the Sheffield Neighborhood News.
The station redesign originally called for custom-made historic-looking lighting fixtures, but the CTA has since opted for a cheaper type of light which it says will look just as good, according to the report. Residents also said they were generally being kept in the dark about the upgrade and want the CTA to construct a more informative Web site.
While the CTA is perhaps rightly getting flack for not being more communicative, we have to give a special shout-out to one CTA worker at the Armitage station. We don’t know her name, but her unfailingly friendly grin and warm greeting each morning as we hit the turnstile puts a smile on the face of many commuters, including YoChicago. Let’s hope she stays after the upgrade.