04/21/99
Today the Chicago Transit Authority Board approved plans to re-open the Blue Line 'L' Station located at Grand and Milwaukee Avenues. Coupled with the revitalization of Navy Pier, recent residential and industrial development is driving the increased need and use of public transportation in this area. The Grand/Milwaukee Station is expected to open this summer.
?Identifying and assisting new areas in need of public transit is critical to the CTA mission to link people, jobs and communities," said CTA President Frank Kruesi. ?We are constantly assessing our service to be sure that we are providing public transit service where demand exists."
Factors considered in the decision to re-open this station included the ridership potential, the connection with bus routes, cost and change in the surrounding community.
The Grand/Milwaukee Station originally opened in 1951 as part of the Dearborn Subway. Reflecting a decrease in usage, weekend and nighttime service was discontinued in 1982 and as part of cost-reduction measures, service was suspended at this station in 1992.
Since that time, residential development in the immediate area has proliferated. Likewise, the successful re-development of Navy Pier has brought more activity to the Grand ? Illinois corridor. Grand/Milwaukee will be the closest Blue Line 'L' Station to Navy Pier, with #65 Grand Avenue Bus providing a direct connection. In addition, #8 Halsted Street and #56 Milwaukee Avenue bus routes will continue to serve this near North Loop area and can provide additional connections at this station.
The Grand/Milwaukee Station will undergo a thorough cleaning, painting and minor rehabilitation of the escalators and service areas. Also at this time, the automated fare collection system will be installed. Overall refurbishment cost is estimated at $1.3 million.
The Grand/Milwaukee opening is part of the CTA's continuing assessment of service needs and improvements. Last fall the CTA reopened six station entrances that were previously closed or used only as exits. In addition to opening two entrances, the Medical Center Station on the Forest Park branch of the Blue Line also became ADA compliant. Entrances at Pulaski Road, East Avenue and Wells/Lake Streets on the branches of the Blue Line, Lunt Avenue on the Red Line and Justine Street on the Green Line were all opened to increase access for customers and provide connections to adjacent communities.
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