Three elevated CTA Loop stations are shutting down again this weekend as crews continue work on the State/Lake reconstruction project, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash and the elevated portion of Clark/Lake will all be closed during the weekend of July 25 through 27. This follows a similar closure the previous weekend, from July 18 to 20, as part of the same ongoing project.
Weekend Closure Schedule
Construction is scheduled to begin around 2 a.m. Saturday, with regular train service expected to resume by 5 a.m. Monday.
During the closures, only Green, Brown and Orange Line trains will run through the Loop, and they will be rerouted onto the Wells and Van Buren side branches of the Loop Elevated structure instead of their normal routes. Riders who rely on the affected stations should plan for longer walks or alternate routes to reach their destinations.
Blue Line and Red Line service will not be impacted by the elevated closures since both lines run through the subway beneath downtown rather than on the elevated tracks. CTA officials say those lines will continue operating as usual throughout the weekend.
Road Closures Downtown
Drivers are also being warned about restrictions in the area. State Street will be completely closed to both northbound and southbound traffic between Randolph Street and Wacker Drive. That closure begins Friday at midnight and lasts until 5 a.m. Monday, matching the train service disruption.
The work is part of a larger, multi-year project surrounding the State/Lake station, which closed entirely for reconstruction earlier this year. City officials have said the project is expected to take about three years to complete and is aimed at modernizing the aging elevated infrastructure in the Loop.
Commuters who use the Loop for weekend travel, whether for work, shopping or entertainment, are encouraged to check CTA alerts before heading downtown. The transit agency has been posting regular updates about the closures on its website and through its Ventra app, along with maps showing the temporary rerouted paths for Green, Brown and Orange Line trains.
With another closure weekend planned in a series tied to the State/Lake project, officials are urging patience as construction continues through the summer. More weekend disruptions could follow in the coming months as crews work through different phases of the reconstruction.
Anyone planning to drive through the Loop this weekend should expect detours around the State Street closure and should factor in extra travel time. Pedestrians navigating the area near the affected stations may also notice construction equipment and temporary barriers as crews work through the overnight and early morning hours when train traffic is lightest.
Riders and drivers alike are being asked to plan ahead, since both the transit and street closures overlap for nearly the entire weekend, leaving limited options for those passing through downtown.