Elevated station to close on Monday, January 5, 2026, for demolition and full reconstruction
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), in coordination with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), announced the upcoming start of construction on the new State/Lake Loop Elevated station in downtown Chicago. The existing 130-year-old station will close beginning Monday, January 5, 2026, to allow for demolition and the start of major construction activities for the new, fully accessible rail hub.
The new State/Lake elevated station will replace one of the oldest stations on the CTA rail system with a modern facility designed to improve safety, accessibility, and comfort for all riders. It is the fifth highest ridership station in the system and located at one of the busiest transfer points in the Loop. The new station will feature wider platforms, new elevators for full ADA accessibility, a striking glass canopy, and improved lighting and visibility. The new station is scheduled to open in 2029.
Construction and Service Impacts
Starting Monday, January 5, 2026, the existing State/Lake elevated station will close for demolition and reconstruction. Trains operating along the Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines and the Purple Line Express will no longer stop at the State/Lake elevated station for the duration of the construction. Loop trains will continue to operate, and customers can use the adjacent and fully accessible stations: Washington/Wabash and Clark/Lake.
The Lake Red Line subway station will remain open. To transfer between the Lake Red Line subway station and the Loop Elevated rail lines, use the Washington/Wabash station.
Traffic impacts during the station demolition and reconstruction are as follows:
CTA Bus Stops:
Bus stops will remain on State Street to maintain pedestrian flow from the Lake Red Line subway station. CTA will continue to monitor bus movements during construction and will implement and advise of any planned temporary reroutes during scheduled night-time and weekend street closures.
Vehicles:
- Eastbound Lake Street between State Street and Wabash Avenue will be intermittently closed during off-peak hours starting December 8, 2025, for preparatory work prior to the start of the station demolition.
- Once the station closes on January 5, 2026, Lake Street will be limited to local traffic only between Dearborn Street and Wabash Avenue to facilitate work under the tracks.
- State Street traffic control will be modified based on observations during recent work. The existing Southbound closure of State Street will be extended from Wacker Drive to Washington Street. Northbound State Street will be restored to having all lanes open through the State & Lake Station project limits to alleviate congestion issues.
Pedestrians:
Sidewalks on Lake Street and State Street will remain open. Follow marked pedestrian detours and be aware of active construction work. Street-level construction activities will continue on Lake Street and State Street.
Day Time Working Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Street level work will transition into heavy excavations and concrete removal to install structures for the subway elevator access and construction of the new, modern facility.
Night Time Working Hours: 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
The majority of the nighttime work will involve the decommissioning and demolition of the station structure.
About the Project
Originally built in 1895, the State/Lake elevated station is being completely reconstructed to meet modern accessibility standards, improve safety, and create a more welcoming rider experience. Key upgrades include:
- Complete ADA compliant elevator access to both elevated platforms.
- Complete ADA compliant elevator access to the Lake Street subway mezzanine and platform.
- Improved vehicular safety with the removal of columns in the intersection.
- New signature glass canopy that will provide continuous weather protection over entire platform area.
- Wider platforms reducing constrained conditions for safer passenger flow.
- Maximized glass areas improving security concerns.
- LED energy efficient lighting on and below the platform.
- Improved sidewalk crossings with bump-outs reducing pedestrian exposure.
For more information about the project and to sign up for updates, visit www.statelakestation.org.
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