Chicago’s State and Lake CTA Station Set for 2029 Closure

URGENT UPDATE: Starting January 5, 2024, one of Chicago’s busiest CTA stations, the historic State and Lake stop, will close for demolition, with a new facility expected to open in 2029. This 130-year-old station serves the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines and is crucial for daily commuters.

Officials from the Chicago Department of Transportation have confirmed that the current structure lacks necessary accessibility features for all transit riders. Deputy Commissioner Anne Zhang emphasized the need for a station that accommodates wheelchair users and enhances safety and visibility for all passengers. “The station isn’t accessible to folks in wheelchairs, and we’re trying to make it accessible for all of our transit riders,” Zhang stated.

The scope of this project is extensive. According to Scott Duncan, a partner at the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the rebuild is akin to “open heart surgery on a station.” The design will not only meet current accessibility standards but also address significant maintenance concerns. Duncan noted that the existing platforms are too narrow, stating, “If you go to the station now, you’ll see it’s got these very, very narrow platforms. You can barely get by in some places.”

Construction will transform the station into a modern facility that reflects Chicago’s architectural heritage. “We’re surrounded by buildings that are just so of Chicago. And so, from the beginning, we thought about how to complement those buildings but do so in a very modern way,” Duncan explained.

During this period, commuters are advised to use alternative transfer points at Clark and Lake and Washington and Wabash stations, both located just two blocks away and fully accessible. “We ask for a lot of patience and grace. We are working around the clock,” Duncan added.

This significant project is not merely cosmetic; it aims to provide a world-class transit experience in line with the needs of a world-class city. With the closure looming, residents and commuters are urged to prepare for adjustments in their daily routines.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the city embarks on this vital transit transformation.