CTA Blue Line station to see $23 million overhaul following July canopy collapse
Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
This photo shows the Ogden entrance to the Illinois Medical District station soon after it was first opened in 1958. Today, the station is the third busiest on the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch.
Chicago Transit Authority
After more than 50 years, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line’s Illinois Medical District station will undergo its most extensive renovation since the stop originally opened.
CTA President Dorval R. Carter and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the $23 million project Aug. 10, emphasizing plans to modernize the station and improve accessibility.
The repairs will begin in September following the July 24 partial collapse of the West Side station’s canopy after it was struck by lightning and fell onto the tracks, disrupting service for several Blue Line trains that night. The project is set for completion by late 2017 is supported through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.
Additional improvements to the rebuilt canopy will include renovations to all three station entrances with the complete rebuilding of the main stationhouse and the installation of an elevator and renovated station-to-platform ramps to accommodate customers with disabilities.
McHugh/UJAMAA Joint Venture 1 was awarded a construction contract for the project on Aug. 10 by the CTA board. The station is expected to be accessible to passengers throughout construction, though temporary entrance closures may be required at times.
CTA officials say the Illinois Medical District station is the third-busiest Blue Line station on the Forest Park branch and served 1 million entries in 2015, connecting passengers to four area hospitals, as well as the United Center and Malcolm X College.
“The Illinois Medical District is one of the largest medical centers in our nation, serving four major hospitals and thousands of patients, students and employees every day,” Mayor Emanuel said. “By investing in CTA stations like this one that provides access to health care and jobs for thousands of Chicagoans, we are creating a world-class transit system that better serves our city and those who come here.”
Construction at the station is also expected to enhance platform lighting, bring in new security cameras and the installation of new CTA Bus and Train Tracker displays. Two of the station’s three entrances will see new Ventra fare-payment equipment and customer assistance kiosks, renovated flooring and wall and ceiling finishes.
“Under Mayor Emanuel, CTA has committed to making significant improvements to more than one-third of its rail stations, the largest station investment in CTA history,” said Carter. “The improvements we are making to the Illinois Medical District station further our commitment to improving accessibility system-wide for our customers and strengthen the vital transit connections to the busy medical district.”
