CTA wraps up Belmont Blue Gateway modernization project

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) officials and Mayor Rahm Emanuel marked the completion of the $17 million Belmont Blue Gateway project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony late last week. 

The Belmont Blue Gateway project is part of the $492 million Your New Blue (YNB) program to modernize and improve the O’Hare brand of the CTA's Blue Line. 

The Belmont Blue project represents the first major renovation to the facility since it opened nearly 50 years ago, according to a CTA press release. 

Upgrades made as part of the project include:

• the addition of a new steel canopy for the terminal;
• enhanced communication systems, including new train tracker signs and an upgraded public announcement system; 
• LED lighting and repainted surfaces throughout the rail station;
• concrete platform decking;
• a permanent prepaid boarding area; and
• a modernized bus arrival and departure area with LED lighting, overhead heaters and signage.

The Belmont Transit Center is important transit hub on Chicago’s Northwest side, serving nearly 1.8 million riders entries to the Blue Line and providing connections to heavily traveled bus routes, CTA officials said.