The Ride

Anyone who's lived in Chicago for more than a year should know that you don't drive to the July 3 Grant Park fireworks. Just don't. You'll live longer.

But for those who haven't caught on, the CTA is encouraging going to Grant Park or Navy Pier for the fireworks displays on Friday evening, July 3 and Saturday evening, July 4, to take public transportation. Metra is running more trains on Friday to accommodate suburban visitors.

Here is the relevant part of the CTA's press release:

"Longer trains will operate into the Loop until late every night, and extra buses will be available toward the close of each evening's activities.

To speed travel and reduce lines, customers are encouraged to buy farecards in advance with sufficient value or to add enough value to their existing farecards (either the Chicago Card or magnetic strip Transit Card) for their return trips later in the day.

Bus customers who use CTA fare media pay $2.00 to ride. For rail customers or customers who pay cash on the bus, the fare is $2.25. Customers who use magnetic strip cards or other CTA fare media may transfer for a 25 cent fee. Transfers are not available for customers paying fares in cash.

SERVICE FOR THE JULY 3rd FIREWORKS EVENT IN GRANT PARK

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Rail Service - July 3rd Fireworks Event
· Bicycles are not allowed on trains Friday, July 3 or Saturday, July 4.

· Also, as a courtesy to other customers, strollers must be folded on CTA buses and trains.

· Additional CTA personnel will be on duty at Loop rail stations to help customers and to provide travel information.

Blue Line
Longer trains and more frequent service between O'Hare and Forest Park.

Pink Line
More frequent service and extended service hours from the Loop to 54th/Cermak until approximately 1:30 a.m.

Red Line
Longer trains and more frequent service between 95th/Dan Ryan and Howard.

Green Line
More frequent service and extended service until approximately 1:30 a.m. from the Loop to Harlem, East 63rd/Cottage Grove and Ashland/63rd."

For those taking a bus, customers leaving the Loop can board northbound buses along LaSalle, southbound buses along Clark and westbound buses along Madison.

Today's question was: What rock band changed its name as a result of threatened legal action by a public transit agency? The answer is "Chicago," a band originally known as the Chicago Transit Authority. The CTA objected, so the name got changed. Terry Mankus is a fan of the band and the first with the right answer.

The Infrastructurist has a story about great train stations that were demolished and replaced with either ugly junk or nothing. Two of them were in Chicago -- Grand Central Station and Central Station. Follow this link

Blues Fest gave us a break from the weekend Blue Line suspension, but it's back this weekend
CTA Blue Line service will be suspended this weekend between Clark/Lake and Western/Milwaukee for track replacement work.
Bus shuttles will operate as a substitute for rail service between 10 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Monday. Riders should allow for extra time.
Workers will be replacing deteriorated wooden half ties with concrete half ties, and replacing running and third rails.

Today's trivia quiz question was: What Chicago avenue shares its name with one of the city's chief sports rivals? Don Beyla was the first person to name Packers Avenue, and was even able to tell where it was (in the old Stockyards district). If Don can send me his address and t-shirt size, through the blog, I can send him his prize.

Kathy Schubert, featured in today's Ride column, exhibits on her web site bike helmets that saved heads.

The Chicago Transit Authority is inviting the public to one last meeting this month to receive input on the latest analysis and a recommended locally preferred alternative for the CTA's proposed extension of the Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line from 95th Street. A presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m at Woodson Regional Library at 9525 South Halsted in Chicago.

The proposed extension would relieve bus and passenger congestion at CTA's existing 95th Red Line station and better manage future traffic growth, according to the CTA.

The Federal Transit Administration's New Starts program requires transit project proposals to proceed through a process of planning, design and construction. The FTA process consists of five formal steps: Alternatives Analysis, Environmental Impact Statement, Preliminary Engineering, Final Design and Construction. The Alternatives Analysis study is designed to examine all the transit options available and determine a locally preferred alternative.

John Paul Jones, an organizer with the Developing Communities Project, said he expects a good crowd, considering the wide support for the extension in the community.

Today's Ride trivia question is "What train leaves the Pennsylvania Station at 3:45?" The answer is The Chattanooga Choo-Choo ("You leave the Pennsylvania Station 'bout a quarter to four/Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore..."

The first person to both have the correct answer AND send me his full name and address was Frank Mason. So Frank gets the prize. Lots of people got this answer -- must be a lot of Glenn Miller fans out there. I remember my Ma used to like to play this record when we did the Saturday cleaning.