Bolts dropping from CTA el tracks

There was a report of WBBM radio the other day about the discovery of large bolts underneath the CTA Green Line el tracks that run down Lake Street in Chicago.  When Channel 2 News brought this to the attention of the CTA, they confirmed that the bolts can from the el tracks running above.  They were unabel to say whether they had vibrated loose from the tracks or were simply left behind by workmen who failed to pick them up as required.

Of course, neither alternative is acceptable, as any material falling from the el tracks represents a serious safety hazard to people walking or driving below or next to the tracks. 

Even worse, the loose bolts represent a serious safety hazard to CTA Green Line riders.  If the bolts are intended to hold the tracks in place and are now gone, what is holding the track in place?  Going past this, the CTA has a team of track inspectors whose entire job is to make sure that the rails are in safe condition.  If the bolts are on the street and sidewalk below, what are these people actually doing?  Defects in the rails led to the Blue line el train derailment a few years ago, and the CTA promised to step up inspections in light of the accident.

This is a major safety hazard which demands the attention of the CTA.  If not fied, it will inevitably lead to claims against the Chicago Transit Authority.