A renovation/alteration permit with a reported cost of $445 million was issued by the city on April 9 to rebuild the State/Lake elevated platform. Trains have been bypassing the platform since the first week of January, when it was shut down for razing. Demolition work was authorized by a permit the city issued on December 10 of last year, and now, there are very few signs that an L platform ever existed here.
A Green Line train approaches future State/Lake platform. Photo by Daniel Schell
Passing through the vacated State/lake platform on a northbound Brown Line. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The CTA got 13 decades of use out of the 1895-built Loop station, and it’s time for an upgrade. SOM has designed a glass-topped modern platform with wider walkways, improved lighting, and other features. Expected to last into 2029, work will include ADA-accessible elevators on all four corners of the State and Lake intersection up to the elevated platform, where Orange, Purple, Green, Pink, and Brown Line trains all make stops. Two escalators on the southeast and northeast corners will add increased accessibility.
Rendering of the CTA State/Lake station by SOM
Rendering of the CTA State/Lake station by SOM
Rendering of the CTA State/Lake station by SOM
Aerial rendering of the State/Lake CTA Station by SOM
Below grade, elevators will connect to the Red Line mezzanine level and subway platform. The CTA’s project website notes “direct route to connecting trains” that are “entirely ADA compliant with elevator access to both platforms”, indicating riders can disembark from their trains upstairs and take an elevator all the way down to catch the Red Line.
Early demolition work, January 2026. Photo by Daniel Schell
January 2026. Photo by Daniel Schell
Passing through the partially-demolished platform, January 2026. Photo by Daniel Schell
A Brown Line train approaches the skeletal remains of the State/Lake platform, February 2026. Photo by Daniel Schell
With apologies for the ALL CAPS, here is the precise permit language as it appears in the Chicago Data Portal:
“WORK IS TO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED TRANSIT STATION ON THE LOOP ELEVATED LINE AT STATE STREET AND LAKE STREET, AND ALSO IMPROVEMENTS AT THE LAKE RED LINE SUBWAY STATION. THE WORK FOR THE ELEVATED LINE WILL INCLUDE A PHASED DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING STATE/LAKE STATION, CONSTRUCTION OF AN EIGHT CAR PLATFORM WITH A FARE COLLECTION AREA, FOUR ELEVATORS, TWO ESCALATORS, FLYOVER BRIDGE AND CANOPY, CIVIL SITE WORK AS IT RELATES TO UTILITY CONNECTIONS, UTILITY RELOCATION, VAULTED SIDEWALK MODIFICATIONS, PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION, MEDIANS, SIDEWALKS, ROADWAY LIGHTING, SIGNALING AND STREETSCAPING, TRACK AND TRACK STRUCTURE MODIFICATIONS AND REPLACEMENTS, AND TRAIN CONTROL SIGNALS SYSTEM MODIFICATION. THE WORK FOR THE LAKE RED LINE SUBWAY STATION INCLUDES A PHASED PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING LAKE/RANDOLPH SUBWAY MEZZANINE AND A RENOVATION OF THE EXISTING LAKE/RANDOLPH SUBWAY MEZZANINE AND PLATFORM TO ADD TWO ELEVATORS.”
The project includes improvements to Lake Street below the elevated tracks. Photo by Daniel Schell
Lake Street, east of State Street. Photo by Daniel Schell
With demolition seemingly complete, general contractor F.H. Paschen can begin the rebuild with a fresh canvas. As yet, there have been no reported incidents or delays that would push back the completion estimate.
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Great photos as always team!
Very excited to see the results in 2029!
Now comes the tricky part, updating the structure so they can remove the center columns on State, while keeping the trains running.
I was always surprised at the dilapidated state of this station considering its location and view of the Chicago sign. The rebuild is long overdue and welcome – but I just don’t see that glass canopy staying clean, and I wish they had been able to figure out a direct link to the red line platforms considering how much this will cost. Still excited regardless.
I agree – it looks nice and shiny in renderings but give it a winter or two and a few thousand pigeons…it’s gonna be grimy in no time without dedicated maintenance.
There is going to be a direct connection to the red line. The elevators will take you from the Elevated platform down to the subway. I work for a subcontracting firm for the project, and that is part of the scope.
Hierarchy of needs for a transit station: 1) functionality, 2) safety/security, 3) cleanliness, 4) aesthetics. A complete waste of a half billion tax dollars. We don’t need a Transit Palace.
I’m so glad there will finally be a direct Red Line transfer without having to go outside of turnstiles to do so. This is very badly needed. Hate that it will take a while, but progress is progess.
This is such a cool design. Can’t wait to see it complete.