Expect Delays at Logan Square Blue Line Stop During Belmont Station Renovation

Following extensive plans to renovate the Blue Line as part of the Your New Blue program, construction is officially underway at the Belmont Blue Line station in Avondale. While the completed station is expected to make transit faster and more efficient, renovation closures will add travel delays and may surge passenger traffic at the Logan Square Blue Line stop.

According to official notices at the Belmont stop, O’Hare-bound trains will be bypassing the station and redirecting passengers to the Logan Square stop for service from Aug. 13 through Aug. 30. The CTA website shows expected delays for all Blue Line passengers throughout this process, so plan to give yourself extra time during your commute if you regularly take the train.

The Blue Line has been undergoing significant renovations since the city’s traction power study, which took place earlier this year. Eighth district commissioner Luis Arroyo Jr., a supporter of the project, said that the Your New Blue project will bring some much-needed updates to the stations.

“The systems have been dilapidated for years and now we will be able to bring in some funding,” he told LoganSquarist.

What will these renovations include? The main focus will be on simple necessities such as replacing tile, putting up fresh paint and replacing the old lights with newer and more efficient LEDs. Also, expect to see restored masonry work, escalators and upgraded sewer and water lines throughout the area.

The plan for the Belmont stop is a bit more comprehensive and includes a complete transformation into what is deemed the “Belmont Gateway.” Plans and renderings of this new station, as reported on DNAinfo, show a modern, sleek station with a steel and glass canopy that features enhancements to access surrounding busses.

The city hopes that these updates can create a better, more efficient transit experience for Blue Line passengers. “[The renovations] will hopefully cut travel times and make it a little easier to get to and from CTA stations,” Commissioner Arroyo said.

For more information and updates on the project, Commissioner Arroyo suggests checking out the CTA website or updates his personal website.

Zack Keltner contributed reporting to this article.