CTA Blue Line station at California reopens Thursday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel welcomed Blue Line riders Thursday morning as the CTA opened its newly renovated California station.

The station was closed for 6 weeks as construction took place. Service was available from adjacent stations during the closure.

The modernized stop is part of the city's $492-million Your New Blue program, which aims to provide faster commutes for Blue Line commuters along the O'Hare branch.

The reopening of the California station marks the first of 13 expected to take place this year. Stations at California, Damen and Milwaukee first opened in 1895 and were in need of rehabilitation, the CTA says.

In addition to improving commute time, the updates will repair track infrastructure and upgrade signal and power systems.

Information on closures, service changes and renovation timelines can be found on http://www.transitchicago.com/yournewblue.