The line extension will reach 21,000 additional residents and create 15,000 jobs
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced the extension of one of its busiest routes, the #9 Ashland, to the Ravenswood Metra station at the corner of Lawrence and Ravenswood. Beginning service on Tuesday, September 3, the extension will serve an additional 21,000 residents and 15,000 jobs (within a ½ mile radius) compared to the current routing. The new routing will also provide riders with additional connections – connecting customers to the Metra UP-North line and two other major bus routes, the #78 Montrose and #81 Lawrence. The #9 Ashland line begins south to 104th Street, and this extension will benefit not only the Ravenswood neighborhood, but a broad cross-section of the city.
“Line 9 is one of our busiest lines, carrying an average of more than 16,000 riders each weekday,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “This extension comes as we move closer to resuming pre-pandemic schedules and provides an opportunity not only for ridership recovery but also for long-term growth.”
“I’m proud to help thousands of residents improve access to public transit,” said 47th Ward Councilman Matt Martin. “We’ve already heard from neighbors – including parents of young children and people with disabilities – who are excited about the improved access to work, friends, school and local businesses. We will continue to advocate for access to quality public transit in the 47th Ward and the Chicago area.”
The new route runs north from Irving Park along Ashland to Wilson, to Ravenswood, ends south of Lawrence, then back through Ravenswood to Lawrence and to Ashland. The route currently ends on Clark just north of Irving Park in Belle Plaine. The one-mile extension includes 9 new bus stops spaced approximately every two blocks.
“We are pleased that CTA is improving the connection between its riders and ours at Ravenswood Station,” said Jim Derwinski, Metra Executive Director/CEO. “This coordination will help both companies better serve their riders and local communities and better achieve our goals of providing safe, efficient, timely and affordable transportation.”
