(The Center Square) – A stop on the Chicago L’s Green Line reopened Friday following a $25.6 million station renovation. The new renovation is part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s All Stations Accessibility program.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside Gov. J.B. Pritzker cut a ribbon to mark the opening of the Green Line’s Austin Boulevard stop, the 110th station now considered accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Thirty-six rail stations on the CTA’s network remain on the city’s long-term list of remodels under the accessibility program, which targets to have all stations upgraded by 2038.
The Austin station remodel was primarily funded through the federal government’s Surface Transportation Program to the tune of $20.3 million.
Pritzker said the station, first opened in 1899, hadn’t received the “the investment needed to maintain it.”
“Thanks to a combined effort between the city, the state, and the federal government The Austin Green Line station now features a new elevator, an escalator, an accessible ramp, reconstructed stairs, a modern station with improvements that ensure riders can safely and confidently take the train,” Pritzker said.
The state of Illinois covered the remainder of the costs, specifically $5.3 million through the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed in 2019 – funded in part by motor fuel taxes.
Pritzker also referred to last year’s Northern Illinois Transit Act, which he said would allow the city and other transit organizations across the state to continue to modernize, funded by Illinois taxpayers.
“The NITA Act provides $1.5 billion dollars annually to support transit operations across Illinois and it increases public safety. It improves our coordination so that our transit system works as one network, expands affordable fare programs, and strengthens our commitment to accessibility,” Pritzker said.
Johnson, who came into office after the wider accessibility program launched, said the project is also part of a larger effort from him to better Chicago’s West Side.
“We’ve borne the brunt of disinvestment, whether it’s school closings or the lack of access to health care and affordable housing. The original street-level station that opened in 1899, it had not been upgraded since 1962,” Johnson said. “I’m very proud that over the last 3 1/2 years we’ve invested over $2 billion dollars just on the west side of Chicago.”
The CTA estimates the completion of the $423.5 million first phase of the accessibility program by 2027. The remainder of the first phase includes the Loop’s State and Lake station along with Blue Line stations Montrose, California and Racine.
Phase two is projected to be complete in 2028, with a $617.5 million price tag. The second phase has only received about $277.88 million, or 45% of needed funds projected by the CTA will be needed to complete the phase’s eight stations.
