CTA State and Lake Station Closing for 3 Years Starting Monday

URGENT UPDATE: The CTA’s State and Lake station in Chicago will close on Monday, November 6, 2023, for a monumental three-year reconstruction project that will affect thousands of daily commuters. The station, which has served riders for over 130 years, is set to undergo demolition and complete rebuilding, marking a significant transformation in the Loop area.

Commuters are already expressing their concerns. “It’s a big bummer,” said Elizabeth Rauckhorst, a daily user of the station. “It’s going to be an impact to me for sure.” The station ranks as the fifth busiest across the CTA network, highlighting the urgency of this development.

The upgrades will bring essential accessibility improvements, including the addition of elevators. “The station isn’t accessible to folks in wheelchairs, and we are trying to make it accessible for all our transit riders,” said Anne Zhang, Deputy Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Transportation Division of Engineering.

In addition to accessibility, the redesign aims to enhance safety and comfort. Scott Duncan, a partner at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, emphasized the need for updated platforms, stating, “If you see the station now, you see it has these very narrow platforms you can barely get by.” The project will create a more enclosed and weather-protective space for riders.

During the closure, trains on the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines will bypass State and Lake station, forcing commuters to find alternate routes. “I’ll probably just go to the Red Line,” said Ben Axelrod. “It’s going to be a little longer, like 10 minutes maybe, just with my walk.”

Local traffic on Lake Street will also be affected, limited to local only between Dearborn and Wabash during the construction period. Despite the inconveniences, some commuters remain optimistic. “It will be worth it in the end,” said Samantha Calistri. “If you’ve seen the pictures of what it’s supposed to look like, it’s beautiful.”

The project is expected to be completed by 2029, with new enhancements promising to significantly improve the commuting experience for residents and visitors in the Loop. As this situation unfolds, stakeholders urge commuters to prepare for the changes and explore alternative transit options.

Stay tuned for updates as the construction progresses and impacts on commuting evolve.