CHICAGO (WLS) — A significant transformation is on the horizon for one of Chicago’s most frequented CTA stations. Beginning January 5, the historic State and Lake stop, which has been a part of the city’s transport network for 130 years, will close its doors, not to reopen until 2029.

This closure marks the start of a major redevelopment project. The existing structure will be completely demolished to make way for a new, state-of-the-art station. The redesign has been entrusted to the renowned architecture firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, known for their innovative and forward-thinking designs.

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Strategically serving the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines, the State and Lake station is crucial to Chicago’s transit system. It remains one of the city’s busiest hubs, a vital artery in the daily commute of thousands of residents and visitors alike.

Anne Zhang, a deputy commissioner at the Chicago Department of Transportation, highlights the need for this overhaul, pointing out that the current station falls short in terms of accessibility, making it a priority for improvement in the new design.

Anne Zhang is a deputy commissioner for the Chicago Department of Transportation. She says much of what’s not working about the current station comes down to accessibility.

“The station isn’t accessible to folks in wheelchairs, and we’re trying to make it accessible for all of our transit riders,” Zhang said.

But there are other concerns that led to this rebuilding of the station.

“Safety and visibility, making sure that there are no maintenance concerns,” says Zhang, “And we want to make sure that it’s top notch and reflective of a world-class facility for a world-class city like Chicago.”

Scott Duncan is a partner with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, which designed the new station.

“If you go to the station now, you’ll see it’s got these very, very narrow platforms. You can barely get by in some places,” Duncan said.

In addition to the needs of CTA passengers, he also considered the nearby architecture in designing the new station.

“We’re surrounded by buildings that are just so of Chicago. And so, from the beginning, we thought about how to complement those buildings but do so in a very modern way,” says Duncan. “We ask for a lot of patience and grace. We are working around the clock and will be directing folks to utilize, for transfers, the Clark and Lake and the Washington and Wabash stations. They’re both two blocks away, and they’re both fully accessible.”

For those wondering how and why this project will take so long, Duncan has this answer: “It is not an aesthetic upgrade, it’s not a superficial upgrade, it’s kind of open heart surgery on a station. We’re going to be replacing almost the entire station.”

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