Reopening restores an additional station entrance and features new signage that is a throwback to the station’s original design
The Chicago Transit Authority this week reopened the rebuilt Loomis Street auxiliary entrance to the Racine Blue Line station, restoring an additional access point for customers at the recently modernized and accessible station. This work is part of the Forest Park Branch Rebuild Project– a multi-year, multi-phased investment program to reconstruct the entire Forest Park Branch of the Blue Line and make it 100% accessible to people who use mobility devices.
The retro-style sign was designed by HNTB, with input and guidance from CTA, and is based on the station’s original signage. The preservation work stems from an agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office that allowed CTA to fully modernize the Racine entrance while preserving the Loomis entrance’s historic design through reconstruction.
“The reopening of the Loomis entrance marks another important step in the transformation of the Racine station,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “Customers will once again have a convenient way to enter and exit the station while benefiting from improvements that preserve its character and create a more welcoming experience.”
Located at 431 S. Loomis Street, the renovated entrance preserves the station’s historic character while complementing the modernized, accessible main entrance at 430 S. Racine Avenue. The accessible entrance, which has remained available through the main stationhouse, features an elevator connecting customers to the rail platform.
The Loomis entrance closed for reconstruction in October 2025 following the reopening of the station’s main entrance on Racine Avenue. Originally constructed in 1958, the Racine station was rebuilt as part of Phase One of the Forest Park Branch Rebuild and CTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP).
The main stationhouse reopened in October 2025 with a new elevator, new stairs, an extended platform and other improvements designed to remove barriers and improve the customer experience.
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