Clark Junction
As seen from the rear of a Kimball-bound Brown Line 'L' train, a 1970s-built interlocking tower oversees the CTA action at Clark Junction in Chicago's bustling Lakeview neighborhood. The steelwork to the left supported the small Clark Street station until a 1948 service change that eliminated dozens of minor 'L' stops across the system. The original Clark Junction interlocking tower was integrated with the former station, and was closed in 1976.
After Tower 18 on the Loop Elevated downtown, Clark Junction is the busiest interlocking on the CTA rail system. During rush periods, northbound track 3 at the junction sees over 40 trains an hour, split about evenly between Red and Brown Line movements. Quoting from chicago-l.org: "to put this in proper context, there is a comparable short section at Aldgate North Junction, one of the busiest on the London Underground, that sees 30 trains an hour." In 2002, 876 trains passed through Clark Junction every weekday, and that number has only increased in recent years. There are plans to ease congestion here with a flyover replacing the flat junction, but the scheme is controversial because it would require demolition of several adjacent buildings in what has become a very busy and fashionable neighborhood.
Clark Junction
As seen from the rear of a Kimball-bound Brown Line 'L' train, a 1970s-built interlocking tower oversees the CTA action at Clark Junction in Chicago's bustling Lakeview neighborhood. The steelwork to the left supported the small Clark Street station until a 1948 service change that eliminated dozens of minor 'L' stops across the system. The original Clark Junction interlocking tower was integrated with the former station, and was closed in 1976.
After Tower 18 on the Loop Elevated downtown, Clark Junction is the busiest interlocking on the CTA rail system. During rush periods, northbound track 3 at the junction sees over 40 trains an hour, split about evenly between Red and Brown Line movements. Quoting from chicago-l.org: "to put this in proper context, there is a comparable short section at Aldgate North Junction, one of the busiest on the London Underground, that sees 30 trains an hour." In 2002, 876 trains passed through Clark Junction every weekday, and that number has only increased in recent years. There are plans to ease congestion here with a flyover replacing the flat junction, but the scheme is controversial because it would require demolition of several adjacent buildings in what has become a very busy and fashionable neighborhood.