In a significant development for Chicago’s transit system, the historic State and Lake platform of the CTA has officially closed as of Monday, marking the beginning of a three-year renovation project.
This ambitious endeavor is being driven by the Chicago Department of Transportation, which acknowledges that such an extensive overhaul is well overdue. While the prolonged closure has caught many commuters off guard, officials assure that the transformation will ultimately justify the wait.
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The State and Lake station, among the busiest in the city’s Loop area, will remain out of service until 2029. This closure is part of a larger plan to give the 130-year-old platform a much-needed update and enhanced functionality.
The extended timeline for construction has left some CTA riders feeling exasperated. “It’s a little too long, but hopefully it’s nice,” commented frequent rider Luke Goebel, expressing a sentiment shared by many who rely on the station for their daily commutes.
During the renovation period, those traveling through the Loop will need to adjust their routes, utilizing nearby stations such as Washington/Wabash or Clark/Lake. While the present inconvenience is palpable, the city’s transport authority remains optimistic about the project’s long-term benefits.
CTA riders coming through the Loop will now need to get off the train at Washington and Wabash or Clark and Lake.
“I’m glad,” said CTA rider April Siruno. “It’ll be worth the wait when everything is interconnected, that makes more sense.”
One of the main improvements that comes with this project is making it more accessible, especially for those with wheelchairs.
“The station isn’t accessible to folks in wheelchairs, and we’re trying to make it accessible for all of our transit riders,” said CDOT Deputy Commissioner Anne Zhang.
Renderings of the project show the new modernized upgrades as the designers of the project say this will improve the platform from top to bottom.
“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,” said Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Partner Scott Duncan.
Some commuters say it will be nice to have a new platform while others say they would rather see the money for this project go to public safety across the CTA instead.
“They should have more security. If they got the money to upgrade this, why don’t they have the money for security? I heard they’re putting more security, but I haven’t seen it,” said CTA rider Chris Gonzalez.
Those concerns come as the CTA just launched its new security surge plan last month, putting more officers and K-9s on platforms across the city.
There will also certainly be some frustration for drivers coming through the area.
Starting Monday, Lake Street will only be open to local traffic between Dearborn and Wabash.
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