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CTA to reopen Racine Green Line station with full accessibility upgrades; work nearly complete
Summary
CTA infrastructure staff reported progress and an imminent opening for the Racine Green Line station, including a new elevator, canopy, art installation and preservation work on the historic Loomis entrance, advancing CTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program.
CTA infrastructure staff told the board on Oct. 8 that Racine Green Line station construction is in its final stages and scheduled to reopen with full accessibility upgrades.
Bill Moon, chief infrastructure officer, said crews have completed elevator final inspection and permitting, finished most platform canopy work, and are completing interior finishes and art installations for the station opening. The project will include a new elevator, a translucent platform canopy, and restored historical features at the Loomis entrance that will be rebuilt to reflect the 1958 architectural design while incorporating modern accessibility features.
Moon described on-site work completed during recent weekends, including exterior finishes and equipment area preparation, and noted testing of elevator systems and the installation of a digital display board to pilot elevator outage notifications (a feature previously piloted in the Red-Purple Modernization project). He said the project team coordinated delicate finishes such as stainless polishing and art installation as opening details were finalized.
Access and coordination: Moon explained that projects must consider “path to travel” and work with partner agencies for sidewalk and crossing improvements that connect riders to stations. He said Racine benefited from an existing accessible sidewalk across the highway bridge; other projects such as Austin required rebuilding sidewalks and curb ramps in coordination with the City of Chicago and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Moon said permitting to run utilities under highways (directional bore jacking/receiving pits) required additional coordination with IDOT.
Board questions and context: Directors thanked staff for progress and stressed the importance of accessible station approaches and pedestrian safety. Director Raquel asked how CTA coordinates with CDOT and IDOT to ensure safe, accessible approaches; Moon said the planning group and ADA advisory committee routinely work with those agencies to address path-to-travel concerns.
What’s next: Staff reported that most finishing touches and punch-list work were underway and that ceremonial reopening would follow completion of those items; Moon said the Loomis entrance would be closed on the Monday after the marathon to switch over access and finalize openings.
