Weekend work to require closure of State Street to vehicular traffic and three Loop Elevated stations; Travelers urged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) are alerting weekend travelers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time due to upcoming work associated with the State/Lake Station Reconstruction Project.
During the weekends of July 18–20 and July 25–27, work will require temporary service reroutes on the Loop Elevated and the temporary closure of the following CTA Stations:
- Washington/Wabash
- Adams/Wabash
- Clark/Lake (elevated portion)
During these two weekends, only the Green, Brown and Orange Line trains will operate via the Wells and Van Buren side branches of the Loop Elevated. Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, and the elevated portion of Clark/Lake (serving Green, Brown, and Orange lines) will be closed during these two weekends. Blue Line service will continue to serve Clark/Lake via the subway.
The weekend closures will allow crews to work around the clock to perform track ties and rail adjustments along with existing steel repairs to the track structure.
Weekend Service Details July 18-20; July 25-27
Construction work will begin each Saturday with the conclusion of rail service (approximately 2 a.m.) and normal rail operations resuming at 5 a.m. Monday.
During this time service reroutes will impact station access as follows:
- Orange, Green and Brown Line riders: Access the Loop area via Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, LaSalle/Van Buren, Quincy, or Washington/Wells stations.
- Pink Line riders: Trains will operate between 54th/Cermak and Clinton. For continuing service into the Loop, transfer at Clinton to a Green Line train toward Cottage Grove or Ashland/63rd.
- Riders transferring between Loop 'L' and Red and Blue subway lines: Transfer between elevated trains and the subway at Harold Washington Library–State/Van Buren (Orange, Brown, Green Pink, and Purple Express) and Jackson (Blue or Red lines via the pedestrian subway connection). Blue Line trains will serve Clark/Lake and the station will remain open for Blue Line riders.
Customers traveling to Michigan Avenue or the Millennium Park area should exit at Washington/Wells and walk to the nearby Loop Link station at Washington/LaSalle, where routes #J14 Jeffery Jump, #20 Madison, #56 Milwaukee, #60 Blue Island/26th and #124 Navy Pier provide frequent service to those destinations.
For more information regarding the upcoming transit service changes please visit transitchicago.com/alerts
Traffic Impacts
State Street will be fully closed to vehicle and bus traffic (northbound and southbound) from Randolph Street to Wacker Drive from approximately Friday at midnight to Monday morning at 5 a.m. Please follow posted detours during these weekends.
- Northbound traffic will be detoured via Dearborn Street.
- Southbound traffic will be detoured via Clark Street.
Following the weekend closure, northbound State Street will reopen. The existing long-term southbound closure between Wacker Drive and Randolph Street will remain in place as utility work and the next phases of the project continue. Maintaining the southbound closure allows this work to proceed more safely and efficiently while avoiding repeated roadway closures, detours, and changes to traffic patterns throughout construction.
Access to all businesses will be maintained, and pedestrian access will remain open.
About the Project
The State/Lake CTA Station Reconstruction Project is being led by CDOT in coordination with CTA. Originally built in 1895, the station is being completely reconstructed to improve accessibility, safety, and overall rider experience. The project includes new ADA-accessible elevators, wider platforms, a signature glass canopy, improved lighting, safer pedestrian crossings, and other upgrades that will modernize one of CTA's busiest stations. Construction is expected to be completed in 2029.
For more information about the project, construction updates, and to sign up for email notifications, visit StateLakeStation.com.