URGENT UPDATE: Starting January 5, 2024, the historic State and Lake CTA station in Chicago will close for demolition, with plans to reopen in 2029. This significant redevelopment will replace the 130-year-old station with a modern facility designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, aimed at enhancing accessibility and safety for transit riders.
The State and Lake stop serves multiple lines, including the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines, making it one of the busiest stations in the city. Anne Zhang, deputy commissioner for the Chicago Department of Transportation, emphasized that the existing station’s lack of wheelchair accessibility is a critical issue driving the redesign.
“The station isn’t accessible to folks in wheelchairs, and we’re trying to make it accessible for all of our transit riders,” said Zhang, highlighting the urgent need for improvements. Additionally, concerns about visibility and safety have further prompted this extensive upgrade. Zhang added, “We want to make sure that it’s top-notch and reflective of a world-class facility for a world-class city like Chicago.”
Architect Scott Duncan, a partner at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, noted that the current station features narrow platforms, making it difficult for passengers, especially during peak times. “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,” he stated.
The new design will not only address the immediate needs of CTA passengers but will also consider and complement the surrounding architectural landscape of Chicago. Duncan explained, “We are surrounded by buildings that are just so of Chicago. From the beginning, we thought about how to complement those buildings but do so in a very modern way.”
During the closure, commuters are advised to use the nearby Clark and Lake and Washington and Wabash stations, both of which are fully accessible and located just two blocks away. “We ask for a lot of patience and grace. We are working around the clock,” said Duncan, as officials prepare for the major project.
Duncan further clarified the scale of the renovation, stating, “It is not an aesthetic upgrade, it’s not a superficial upgrade, it’s kind of open heart surgery on a station. We’re going to be replacing almost the entire station.”
This ambitious project signifies a major investment in Chicago’s public transit infrastructure, aimed at enhancing the commuter experience for years to come. The community is encouraged to stay updated on the progress as the city embarks on this transformative journey.
Stay tuned for more developments as the closure date approaches.
