Year 2, Day 121: 26 February 2014

I'm not sure what was going on today, but there was a lot of activity this morning.

Year 2, Day 120: 25 February 2014

The worksite is gradually being cleared of all the materials no longer needed. Meanwhile, additional panels have been added to the lower roof.

Year 2, Day 117: 22 February 2014

The lower roof

Year 2, Day 115: 20 February 2014

After a few finishing touches were applied to the brickwork, the final section of scaffolding was taken down this afternoon. 

In other news, while walking the picket line at UIC on Tuesday, I happened upon a crew from FH Paschen and Stallworth Underground working on the Morgan St. overpass. I didn't see anyone that i recognized, but almost started taking pictures out of habit. 

Year 2, Day 108: 13 February 2014

If you've been following this blog since it began in October of 2012, you'll know that i began it as a way of coping with the unpleasant prospect of living in the midst of construction and disruption for a year or more. For the most part, the blog has served that purpose and has helped me to remain interested in and even to enjoy observing the process of building an electrical substation. But after struggling through ice and slush this morning, with the leash of a very frisky dog in one hand and a bag of poop from the aforementioned dog in the other, only to find access to the dumpster blocked by a monster truck (seriously, does anyone need to drive something that big?), i have to admit that my patience is pretty much exhausted.  At this point, i just want it to be over.

According to this notice, the project should be done by the end of this month. I'll be surprised if that's the case, but i truly hope that it won't be much longer. 

There are promising signs that the project is close to completion. A larger than usual crew appeared to be on the job this morning, as indicated by the number of vehicles parked under the viaduct and along Glenwood. A truckload of equipment for the operation of the substation arrived this morning as shown in the pictures below. 

Year 2, Day 103: 8 February 2014

You can finally get a good look at the substation from the corner of Glenwood and Farwell.

Year 2, Day 102: 7 February 2014

The scaffolding is almost completely gone today.

Year 2, Day 101: 6 February 2014

The scaffolding is coming down, revealing the brick wall in all its glory.

Year 2, Day 100: 5 February 2014

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present …

the brick wall!

It was a real thrill to catch my first glimpse of the wall 
on my way out this morning.

By the time i returned this evening, the wraps were off. If the weather is 
clear tomorrow, i'll try to get a few better pictures.

Year 2, Day 96: 1 February 2014

It's a peaceful and snowy Saturday at the substation, and it felt great to sleep in on a weekend morning rather than being awakened by the usual cacophony of vehicles, voices, hammers, and other sounds of progress. I finally got a couple of reasonably good pictures of the work being done on the western wall, adjacent to the L tracks.