Despite this week's news that the work on the Fullerton and Belmont stops will be finished ahead of schedule, we're still drinking the CTA flavor Haterade. Honestly, we've given up taking the El on weekends. With slow zones, closures and reroutes, not to mention the ongoing Brown Line construction/clusterfuck, it's easier in this beautiful weather to just walk or ride our bikes (always wear a helmet!). With lots of people traveling and making their way around town for fests and other spring-time activities, it's important to keep an eye on the CTA Customer Alert website. Here's a quick run-down of this weekend's closures.

Blue Line: If you're traveling to or from O'Hare, get ready for the latest in Blue Line disruptions. As part of the continuing slow zone elimination project, service will be shut down between the Cumberland and Rosemont stations starting tonight at 9 p.m. and continuing until 3 a.m. on Monday, May 19. Shuttle buses will run between the stations.

Red Line: The bane of our existence lately, and not just because it's packed with drunk, sunburned Sigma Alpha Wrigley members. Once again, the Red Line will be operating on the elevated tracks between Chinatown-Cermak and Belmont. The reroute starts tonight at 9 p.m. and runs until 3 a.m. on Monday, May 19. Shuttle buses will provide service to North/Clybourn and Clark/Division (from Sedgwick), Chicago and Grand (from Chicago/Franklin), and Harrison (from Adams/Wabash, Library, and Roosevelt) stations. In other words: Brown Line, Red Line, it's all the same. [Ed note: We need to start calling this re-route "The Tourist Befuddler."]

Yellow Line: Going to Skokie? Don't even bother with the El. Yellow Line service is being suspended from 11 p.m. tonight until 4 a.m. Monday, May 19. Railroad grade crossings are being replaced for track maintenance. Use the #97 bus. There will also be shuttles from Skokie to Howard to accommodate fans going to see the Cubs.

Photo "CTA's New Motto" courtesy of LeahC