The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that advance utility and structural locate work for the long-anticipated new State/Lake CTA station will get underway this month, marking an important early milestone in the multi-year transit improvement project.

Coordinated in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the first phase will involve lane closures on Lake Street beginning August 18 and on State Street starting August 25. This initial work will not disrupt train service at the existing State/Lake elevated station and will not involve demolition. Instead, the focus will be on potholing — a process also known as daylighting — which helps construction crews identify and verify the position of underground utilities and structures before major excavation begins.

The potholing process involves excavation, drilling, boring, and vacuum excavation to safely expose underground elements, with jackhammers used when obstructions are encountered. Crews will operate between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., ensuring that pedestrian access to all surrounding businesses remains open throughout the work period.

“This early-stage work is critical to ensuring the full reconstruction process runs efficiently and safely,” said a CDOT spokesperson. “By identifying utilities ahead of time, we can prevent delays and avoid damage during major excavation.”

The $—million project will replace the more than century-old State/Lake station with a modern, fully accessible transit hub designed to accommodate the city’s growing ridership. Planned upgrades include:

• Wider platforms to ease passenger flow
• Elevators connecting both elevated and subway levels
• A glass canopy covering the platforms for weather protection
• Enhanced lighting and safety features
• Improved pedestrian crossings for safer, more efficient street-level navigation

The new design, developed by an architectural team specializing in transit projects, aims to combine modern amenities with a nod to Chicago’s architectural heritage.

A full closure of the existing station will be required in a future construction phase to allow for demolition and complete rebuild. The CTA expects the new State/Lake station to open to passengers in 2029, significantly improving accessibility and comfort for one of the busiest points in the Loop’s transit network.

City officials emphasize that the station rebuild is not just about aesthetics or accessibility but about economic impact as well. Transit modernization projects like State/Lake often stimulate nearby development, improve retail foot traffic, and enhance overall connectivity in the downtown core.

More details and construction updates are available at www.statelakestation.org.

Originally reported by Chicago Construction News.