The Chicago Transit Authority's State and Lake 'L' station is poised for a transformation as construction crews are set to commence a $444-million renovation project on Monday, marking the beginning of a three-year period where commuters will need to adjust their travel arrangements through the Loop, as reported by WGN-TV. The station's overhaul includes a notable feature: a glass canopy designed to shield commuters from Chicago's biting winds, while the platforms are expected to be widened for added comfort and safety, something that Scott Duncan, partner at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, indicated was necessary when he described the current platforms as "very narrow" in an interview with ABC7 Chicago.
As the station enters its 130th year, the CTA is planning to introduce elevators on all four corners in a bid to make it fully accessible for the first time, which is a notable update considering its significance as the fifth-highest ridership station in the system, during the closure the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Line trains will not stop at Lake and State Street, a decision affecting thousands of daily travelers and forcing them to seek alternatives like Ben Axelrod, who told ABC7 Chicago, "I'll probably just go to the Red Line," acknowledging the additional time his commute will require.
Some locals like Elizabeth Rauckhorst see this as a "big bummer," as she conveyed to ABC7 Chicago, citing her daily reliance on the State and Lake stop for her commutes, while others like Samantha Calistri expressed optimism in an ABC7 Chicago interview about the result, saying, "It will be worth it in the end I think." Additionally, local traffic on Lake Street will be restricted between Dearborn and Wabash as the project unfolds.
Despite the upheaval, the end goal promises a station reimagined for the 21st century, encapsulating not just the city's commitment to progress but also to inclusivity and accessibility with Chicago Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner for Engineering Anne Zhang emphasizing the goal to serve all transit riders she told ABC7 Chicago "The station isn't accessible to folks in wheelchairs, and we are trying to make it accessible for all our transit riders," signaling a broader shift in the city's approach to public infrastructure, the State and Lake CTA station is expected to reopen in its new form, bearing the fruits of modernity and historical respect, sometime in 2029 as per CTA officials.
