The outer shell is taking shape for the new Racine Blue Line station on Chicago’s Near West Side. The station, which lies between the inbound and outbound lanes of the Eisenhower Expressway, is part of the CTA’s $3 billion plan to reconstruct the Forest Park Branch of the Blue Line system. The Racine renovation alone, which extends from Racine Avenue to the east to Loomis Street to the west, is estimated to cost approximately $23 million.

A demolition permit was issued by the City of Chicago in July of last year to remove the existing Racine station; the Loomis auxiliary entrance two blocks to the west remains open for access to the Racine station. A new construction permit was then issued in August to begin work on the Ross Barney Architects-designed entrance at Racine. FH Paschen replaced the original general contractor via a revised permit issued in December. Finally, a permit issued in May of this year to install a passenger elevator completed the permit process to date for the station to date.

Along with the new elevator, a primary focus of this new access station is to rebuild the station ramp, which was built too steep (and without landings) for wheelchair access. In fact, only four of the 11 stations along the Forest Park Branch are accessible. The wide-spread renovations will bring all 11 stations into compliance and make it easier for all Chicagoans to access Blue Line trains.

The CTA plans to have the Racine entrance reopened early in 2025. At that time, the Loomis entrance will be closed for a renovation of its own.

Find out more at Chicago YIMBY