Chicago: CTA: 16 buildings need to be razed for Belmont 'L' overpass

(Chicago Tribune) The CTA unveiled a $320 million proposal Thursday to eliminate one of the worst bottlenecks in its system by building an elevated bypass to untangle trains on the Red, Purple and Brown lines north of Belmont Avenue.

The announcement wasn’t all upside. Sixteen buildings north of the Belmont station in the Lakeview neighborhood would be bulldozed to make way for the flyover structure that would send northbound Brown Line trains up and over the Red and Purple line tracks. Brown Line trains would then descend onto the existing Ravenswood track west of Sheffield Avenue.

The idea of the CTA forcibly purchasing properties — for the second time in a decade along the Brown Line corridor — jolted some people who live and work in the area and learned of the transit agency’s proposal Thursday.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel acknowledged demolition plans weren’t ideal, but said they were necessary to increase and improve train service along all three lines. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-cta-16-buildings-need-to-be-razed-to-speed-up-red-brown-purple-lines-20140417,0,5110741.story