Prepare For Delays On The Blue Line This Autumn

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 30, 2014 4:45PM

Chicago Transit Authority’s ongoing upgrade of the Blue Line’s O’Hare branch will negatively impact riders this autumn with the announcement Thursday the Damen and California stations will be closed for extended periods for rehabilitation. When they re-open, however, they’re expected to be completely modernized and ready to embrace the challenges of public transit in the 21st century.

CTA announced Thursday the Damen Blue Line station will be closed starting in August for “no more than 63 days,” followed by a 42-day closure of the California station. The closures are part of the transit agency’s “Your New Blue” project and will include renovations to platforms and station houses.

CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase told RedEye’s Tracy Swartz the pending construction schedule will ensure the two stations won’t be closed simultaneously. Additionally, upgrades will continue on the Western Avenue station during this time.

Some of the highlights of the station improvements at Damen include replacing wood flooring in the station house with granite; an overhaul of the bike storage room; replacing the station agent’s booth with a stainless steel booth; restoring the historic guard rails on the platforms; and upgrading signage, lighting and communication systems. The California station will see its wood flooring replaced with granite; new bike racks; public art installations and improved lighting.

We’ve included images of what the stations should look like after the renovations are complete.