5/19/04
Renovation work began this week on the Chicago Transit Authority's Lake subway station on the Red Line. The project will rebuild the station's mezzanine and platform between Lake and Randolph streets. The new areas will feature attractive ceramic tile walls and ceilings, and brighter, more energy-efficient lighting.
Additionally, the project will expand the public area of the mezzanine level by 1,500 square feet, creating space for additional turnstiles. One new escalator will be installed between the platform and mezzanine level, while two escalators between the mezzanine and street level will be refurbished. Both will operate 25 percent faster than the existing escalators.
"Those improvements will help move CTA customers into and out of the station more efficiently," said Commissioner Miguel d?Escoto of the Chicago Department of Transportation, which is renovating the platform and tunnel."Thanks to CDOT's support, the renovated Red Line stations will serve as a gateway to one of the world's premier shopping, hotel and restaurant districts -- along with numerous office and residential buildings," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown.
CTA President Frank Kruesi commented, ?Projects of the scope and magnitude necessary to maintain the second largest transit system in the country require a great deal of support, and the CTA has received generous support from the City of Chicago in restoring its facilities."
With the exception of the tactile edging, the platform that runs under State Street has not been renovated since it was built in the 1940s.The platform design follows the design motif incorporated at three rehabilitated Red Line subway stations: Chicago (2002), Jackson (2000), and Washington (1997). The design includes ceramic tiled vaulted ceiling panels and walls with a cityscape design.During the first year of the project, customers will be able to exit the Lake/Randolph platform from the Lake station, but will need to enter the Washington station in order to reach the Lake/Randolph platform.
CTA and CDOT have worked together to minimize the impact on Red Line customers throughout the project.Work on the $15 million project began April 26, 2004, and is scheduled to be complete by early 2006. Funding is provided through the Federal Transit Administration (approximately 80 percent) and Illinois FIRST (about 20 percent).
# # #