Track work to slow L next weekend

If you're coming into the Loop next weekend, expect CTA service to be a little different.

Brown, Green, Pink and Orange line trains will be temporarily rerouted from about 4 a.m Saturday until 8 p.m. Sunday. This is to allow the CTA to work on replacing signal systems, which are more than 30 years old.

Brown and Orange line trains will operate along the Lake and Wabash elevated tracks only. Green and Pink line trains will operate along the Wells and Van Buren elevated tracks only.

What does this mean? If you ride the Brown Line into the Loop and you usually get off at Washington/Wells, you can't, because your train's going east to Clark/Lake. Likewise, if you're a southbound Green Line customer used to stopping at Clark/Lake, you can't, because your first stop will be Washington/Wells.

Pink and Green line customers who want to travel to the east side of the Loop can transfer to a northbound Brown Line train at Roosevelt. Brown and Orange line customers who want to travel to the west side of the Loop can transfer at Roosevelt and board a northbound Pink or Green Line Train.

During these hours, trains will be flagged through the intersection by crews on the tracks.

CTA officials say riders should allow for extra travel time.

The transit agency says the new signal system will improve the reliability of service by regulating train movement, speed and intervals at the Lake and Wells junction where trains enter and exit the Loop.