The Really Secure Railroad Crossing

We've all seen it on the news -- Random Driver decides to go around the striped arm at a railroad crossing and ends up meeting his maker sooner than expected.

That won't happen at this railroad crossing in West Town.  Not only is there a crossbuck, there are flashing lights, a bell, a crossing arm with reflective stripes and blinking lights, and…  huge concrete Jersey barriers.

Yes, the crossing guard is fully functional.  We snapped this photo as a Metra engine was zipping by unafraid that the SUV might suddenly jump over the concrete wall and challenge its supremacy.

After all, this isn't Houston.*


(*Inside joke about how SUV drivers in Houston are constantly crashing into its light rail trains because they believe the train will yield to a big enough truck.)

Progress Report: Chicago Avenue Brown Line station

A few years back we at the Chicago Architecture Blog went a little nuts when the Brown Line rehab project got underway.  Now that we're starting to reap the benefits, it might be time to calm down a little bit.


Anyway, this piece of good news just came in from Alderman Riley's office:

Chicago Brown Line CTA Station Update

Beginning Friday, July 19th, the Chicago Brown Line station will see the re-opening of Franklin Street for normal pedestrian usage.  The obstructions currently located on either side of Franklin Street will be removed at this time.  The permanent staircases currently located on Chicago Avenue and Franklin Street will operate as an "exit only" staircase until the completion of the project. The station should be fully operational on September 7th.  The staircases on Chicago and Franklin will be open for both entrance and exit, and the elevators at the same location will be fully operational at this time.

Woo hoo!