Last week, the city of Chicago celebrated the renovation of Quincy Loop’s historic ‘L’ station, which has modernized the station to be wheelchair accessible while retaining its old style. It is part of the city’s project to make the entire CTA system accessible to people with disabilities during the next two decades. (Many have argued that this is too slow of a schedule: 42 of the 145 “L” stations in Chicago are still not accessible to wheelchair users).
Quincy Station handles more than 2.2 million annual trips on the Brown, Orange, Pink and Purple lines. There is also an exchange for 11 CTA bus lines. It also has links to Union Station and LaSalle Street Metra Station.
“Quincy’s ‘L’ station has existed for over 120 years, providing customers with easy access to and from downtown Chicago, Loop, the commercial district and tourist destinations.” The two new elevators extend the life of these Make it fully functional and accessible to all customers of the 21st century. “
$ 18.2 million of local funds to raise taxes added two elevators on each side of Wells Street at the southern end of each platform. The elevators take customers to the station for the Inner Loop platforms (orange, purple and pink) and Outer Loop (Brown Line). The towers were designed to complement the historic railing of the station.
Quincy Station also received lighting upgrades, newly configured stairs to improve passenger traffic, new tile floors, high-resolution security cameras and motorized doors that meet ADA guidelines.
Even the ticket office at Quincy Station dates back to the era of President William McKinley.
The Quincy station was originally built in 1897, just a few years after the Chicago World’s Fair (1893). Many of the original features are still present, including pressed metal rings and fluted pilasters (rectangular pillars) located on the front of the police station, as well as the post that is still in operation. The station was listed last year. The last renovation of the station took place in 1988, when the station was restored to its original glory of 1897.
*Credits/Source:
Featured Image: CTA
Story: John Greenfield – Streetsblog Chicago
