Station and Track Upgrades from Grand to O’Hare
Say goodbye to slow zones and outdated stations. Say hello to Your New Blue.
Big improvements are in store for the more than 80,000 daily riders of the CTA’s Blue Line O’Hare branch. Among the benefits of this $492 million project:
Modernized stations to better meet the needs of riders now and into the future. This means upgrades to stations built in 1895 -- when Grover Cleveland was President of the United States.- Faster service. This will save passengers up to 10 minutes on a round trip between downtown and O’Hare.
- A generally improved experience for Blue Line riders on the O’Hare branch. The project will bring brighter lights, cleaner, drier tunnels and, in some stations, a new elevator, improved entrances and original public artwork for customers and the community to enjoy.
The investment is also expected to generate 1,300 new jobs during construction.
See below for specific improvements headed for your section of the Blue Line:
As we upgrade the Blue Line, we will do our best to limit inconveniences. Riders will see temporary station closures and small delays overnight and on weekends. Check out the latest information on systemwide service changes, sign up for CTA Updates or follow @cta on Twitter to stay up-to-speed on work that might affect your trip.
Public art
As part of the Your New Blue project, new public works of art are planned for stations undergoing rehabilitation work. Original artwork adds value not only to our stations and their surrounding communities, but also to the overall transit experience for our riders. Expanding our collection of permanent art is a valuable investment for our system and the neighborhoods we serve.
New artwork installed on the ceiling of the rehabilitated California Blue Line station. "Harmony of the World" by Patrick McGee (resin tile mosaic, 2015).
- CTA Further Expands Impressive Collection of Public Art with Two New Unique Art Pieces Along the Blue Line (press release, 11/09/2021)
- CTA Unveils Interactive Artwork at Damen Blue Line (press release, 04/06/2018)
- CTA Montrose Blue Line Station to Get New, Unique Public Artwork by Chicago Artist as Part of Mayor Emanuel’s Your New Blue Program (press release, 11/07/2017)
- CTA Holds Community Meeting on Your New Blue Irving Park and Addison Station Art Projects (press release, 06/08/2017)
- CTA Seeks Artist for Montrose Blue Line Station (press release, 01/23/2017)
- Irving Park, Addison on the Blue Line Are Latest CTA Stations to Get New Public Artwork (press release, 12/14/2016)
- Four CTA Rail Stations to Receive New Artwork by Award-Winning Artists (press release, 10/14/2016)
- CTA to Host Community Meeting Seeking Public Input on the Your New Blue Damen Station Art Project (press release, 09/26/2014)
- CTA Seeks Artists for Blue Line Station Artwork as Part of the Your New Blue Project (press release, 12/13/2013)
Project news & info