The State/Lake Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) station is located at an important junction within the Chicago Loop and has historically provided convenient access to downtown shopping, theater, and business. The importance of this station has only grown over time, and to support increased ridership and improve access for present and future needs, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) engaged TranSystems, SOM and a diverse local team for an updated design. 

The proposed State/Lake Station design will offer an array of public realm enhancements starting at street level to improve safety for pedestrian and vehicular traffic and access to the State Street retail corridor. Elevators and escalators will provide those with mobility challenges, families with strollers, and travelers with convenient and equitable access to the train. Widened, elongated platforms and an increased number of exits and turnstiles will provide increased capacity for increased ridership, improve egress, and provide for better comfort and safety.

Overhead, a continuous canopy will provide relief from the rain, snow, wind and sun, reinforce a sense of arrival and protection, while maintaining strong visual connections to the surrounding city through vision glass cladding. This glass incorporates a ceramic frit pattern that provides solar protection and a sense of scale, and allows visual transparency and natural daylight into the space. The canopy transitions in scale and wraps around the perimeter of the platform to provide shade in the summer and protection during harsh winter conditions. 

For riders who require a transfer between the two platforms, an accessible fly-over connection is incorporated. This glass- and metal-clad bridge resides on the western side of the station and utilizes elevators and stairs for a fully accessible passage from one platform to the other in a weather-controlled environment.