CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Department of Transportation has announced that the elevated CTA station at State and Lake streets in downtown Chicago will close on January 5.

Recently, extensive construction activity has been observed outside the ABC7 Chicago studios on State and Lake.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

This work is a precursor to the planned demolition and subsequent rebuilding of the station, which is over a century old.

According to the CTA, the new station is scheduled to open in 2029, marking a closure period of approximately three years.

The upgraded station will include wider platforms, state-of-the-art elevators for complete accessibility, an impressive glass canopy, and enhanced lighting and visibility.

State and Lake ranks as the fifth busiest station in the CTA system and serves as a critical transfer hub in the Loop.

The underground Red Line stop will remain open, but trains will not stop at the elevated station during construction.

Eastbound Lake Street between State and Wabash Avenue will be intermittently closed during off-peak hours starting Monday, for preparatory work prior to the start of the station demolition.

Once the station closes, Lake Street will be limited to local traffic only between Dearborn Street and Wabash Avenue to facilitate work under the tracks.

Southbound State will be one lane from Wacker Drive to Washington Street. Northbound state will have all lanes open, CDOT said.

Sidewalks will remain open.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.