Demolishing A Chicago Icon: State/Lake L Station Is Gone

Описание: Tonight, we are witnessing a major milestone in the $444 million reconstruction of the State/Lake elevated station. This 130-year-old landmark—originally opened in September 1895—is officially losing its last original staircases tonight.

Why this matters:

Accessibility: For over a century, this has been the 5th busiest station in the city, yet it had zero elevators. The new design adds four ADA-compliant elevators at each corner of the intersection.

The Future: The "glass palace" replacement, designed by SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), will feature platforms double the current width and a signature bird-friendly glass canopy.

Preservation: While the stairs are going tonight, the CTA is salvaging original 1895 railings and posts to be integrated into the new Customer Assistance kiosks in the 2029 station.

Infrastructure Change: You'll notice the removal of those obstructive columns in the intersection, which will significantly improve traffic flow for buses and cars on State Street.

Timeline: The station closed on Jan 5, 2026. This heavy demolition phase is setting the stage for three years of construction, with a grand reopening scheduled for 2029.