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Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) now has reopened half of the eight Cermak (Douglas) branch line stations that are being remodeled as part of an ongoing $482.6 million renovation of the Blue Line branch. On Jan. 29, the authority marked the reopening of Central Park Station.

The facility now includes an auxiliary entrance/exit on the building's east side and relocated main entrance on the west side. The station also features platform benches, overhead heaters and improved lighting; canopies and windbreaks to protect passengers from the weather; an elevator, escalator, wheelchair turnstile, TTY telephones, tactile edging and Braille signs to improve accessibility; and audio-visual signs and a public-address system to provide riders travel information.

Scheduled for completion in January 2005, the Cermak (Douglas) line project includes reconstructing eight stations, and replacing track and support structures.

To date, CTA has installed foundations for vertical support columns, steel and concrete columns, and track and girder spans, and opened renovated Kostner, Pulaski, 54th Street/Cermak stations.

"Improving rapid-transit service along the Cermak (Douglas) branch of the Blue Line adds to the comfort and convenience for our existing customers, helps to attract new customers to our system, and is part of our overall effort to bring our system to a state of good repair," said CTA President Frank Kruesi in a prepared statement.