Chicago CTA Approves Blue Line Improvements and Bus Lane Cameras Amid Safety Discussions

TITLE: Chicago CTA Approves Blue Line Improvements and Bus Lane Cameras Amid Safety Discussions
SLUG: cta-blue-line-improvements-bus-lane-cameras-safety
EXCERPT: The Chicago Transit Board has greenlit a significant agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for vital upgrades to the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch, aiming to address long-standing slow zones. The board also voted to expand its bus lane enforcement camera program and discussed a notable decrease in transit crime.
CATEGORY: transportation
TAGS: Chicago Transit Authority, Blue Line, Forest Park Branch, bus lanes, transit safety, infrastructure, IDOT, public transport
SEO_TITLE: Chicago CTA Greenlights Blue Line Upgrades and Bus Lane Camera Expansion
SEO_DESCRIPTION: The Chicago Transit Board has approved a design services agreement with IDOT for Blue Line improvements and increased bus lane enforcement cameras. The board also noted a significant drop in transit crime rates.
MEDIA_QUERY: Chicago Blue Line train at Forest Park station, Illinois
IMAGE_ALT: A Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train at a station platform on the Forest Park Branch.

Blue Line Slow Zones to be Addressed

The Chicago Transit Board has approved a design services agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for long-discussed improvements to the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch. This branch has been plagued by slow zones, which have reportedly led riders to opt for the Green Line even if it involves longer travel times or more transfers.

Nora Leerhsen, acting CTA President, acknowledged these issues in her report to the board, stating that many riders choose the Green Line due to its perceived faster travel times compared to the Blue Line’s West Side slow zones. The design services agreement will facilitate engineering design for track replacement, with approximately $28.2 million in federal funds allocated for this phase.

Bill Mooney, the CTA’s chief infrastructure officer, informed the board that IDOT is actively seeking federal funds to cover the majority of the costs for the actual track replacement work. In addition to track improvements, Leerhsen noted that other enhancements will include upgrades to drainage systems and making stations fully ADA-compliant. However, a specific timeline for the completion of the engineering design phase has not yet been provided by the CTA.

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act mandates the restoration of the Blue Line’s Central Station and the reopening of Cicero Station’s western entrance on Lavergne Avenue. While the legislation initially set a deadline of the start of 2029 for these projects, a recent trailer bill shifted this deadline to the start of 2031.

Bus Lane Enforcement Cameras to Expand

In addition to the Blue Line upgrades, the board also approved exercising an option to purchase 48 Automated Bus Lane Enforcement (ABLE) bus-mounted traffic cameras. This move is expected to significantly increase the number of operational cameras from the current six to 52.

Leerhsen highlighted the impact of the existing cameras, which have already resulted in nearly 2,200 warnings and citations. She described the expansion of the bus camera program as being as important as addressing the slow zones on the Blue Line, emphasizing their role in improving bus service reliability.

The new cameras are slated for deployment on bus routes 8/Halsted, 20/Madison, 36/Broadway, and 66/Chicago by the fall. Funding for this camera purchase comes from a portion of the new transit funding generated by the 0.25 percent RTA Sales Tax increase, with $1 million allocated for bus cameras from the RTA’s budget amendments.

Transit Crime Rates Show Decline

Acting President Nora Leerhsen reported a continued decline in major crime rates across the CTA system. She prefaced her update by stating that “one single crime is too many” and the CTA’s goal is to reach zero incidents, but she emphasized the progress being made.

According to data from the Chicago Police Department, major crime in June decreased by 45 percent compared to June of the previous year. Violent crime saw a significant reduction of 58 percent year-over-year. Specific improvements were noted on the Red Line, where overall crime was down 47 percent and violent crime dropped by 70 percent. Leerhsen suggested that the presence of more off-duty officers and the introduction of crisis intervention workers likely contributed to these reductions.

The board members echoed these sentiments, with Board Chair Lester Barclay expressing appreciation for the progress on reducing crime while reaffirming the goal of making the CTA the safest mass transit system in America.

Employee Tribute and Board Changes

The meeting also began with a tribute to CTA employee Kevin Barlow, who was fatally shot during a carjacking on the night of June 29. Leerhsen expressed condolences to Barlow’s family, loved ones, and colleagues, highlighting his long tenure and impact within the organization.

The board meeting was the first since Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his picks for the four new transit boards mandated by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act. However, none of the current CTA directors publicly acknowledged the impending changes to the board structure. Board member Roberto Requejo, one of the two mayoral appointees not renominated, was absent from the meeting. Board member Neema Jha, a gubernatorial appointee, was also absent. Board member Pastor Michael Eaddy, an influential West Side clergy member and a mayoral appointee who was re-nominated, attended remotely due to a family emergency.

Key facts

The approved infrastructure projects and camera expansion aim to improve service reliability and passenger experience on Chicago’s public transit system. The reduction in crime rates, if sustained, could also contribute to increased ridership and a greater sense of security for commuters. The upcoming changes to the transit board structure under the NITA Act will be a development to monitor for future policy and operational decisions.

Source: Streetsblog Chicago – CTA board approved deal with IDOT to fix Blue Line slow zones, and an increase in bus lane enforcement cameras, and they discussed the decrease in transit crime (https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/07/09/cta-board-approved-bus-lane-enforcement-cameras-order-increase-discusses-safety)