CTA reopens one station entrance at IMD Blue Line, closes two for rehab

Written by Maggie Lancaster, assistant editor
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After about five months of construction work, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) says the Damen Avenue entrance for the Illinois Medical District (IMD) Blue Line station has reopened. The station entrance closed on February 6 earlier this year.

Considered a major milestone by CTA for the $23-million renovation, the new entrance includes additional lighting, more security cameras and a CTA bus and train tracker display to provide real-time arrival information convenience to customers. The station also received new flooring and stainless steel wall finishes as wells as a reconstructed ramp leading to the platform for enhanced accessibility.

“The Illinois Medical District station is a vital public transit connection to one of the nation’s largest medical districts and this renovation will help it better serve the nearly one million people that go through it annually,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “By investing in a 21st Century, world-class transit system we are investing in a stronger future for Chicago, its neighborhoods and its residents.”

The IMD project also includes upgrades to station’s access points on Ogden and Paulina. CTA will temporarily close the Ogden and Paulina access points on July 28 to begin improvements for those station entrances.

The stationhouse at Ogden is considered the main entrance to the IMD station. It will be completely rebuilt, receiving a new elevator as well as new stairs. Similarly to Damen, the Paulina entrance will have its station-to-platform ramp reconstructed for better access and will be refurbished with new flooring, wall and ceiling finishes. Both access points will receive upgrades that include improved lighting, additional security cameras and CTA Bus and Train Tracker displays.

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