Structure type At-grade Opened 31 October 1993 Tracks 4 | Parking 299 Spaces Owner Chicago Transit Authority | |
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Location 4612 West 59th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60629 Owned by Chicago Transit Authority Platforms 1 island platform,
1 side platform Connections CTA Buses
Pace Buses
River Valley Metro Address Chicago, IL 60629, United States Similar LaSalle/Van Buren station, Clark/Lake station, Pulaski, Halsted Orange Line Stati, Kedzie Orange Line Stati | ||
Midway is a station of the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' system, serving the Orange Line. It is the southwestern terminus of the Orange Line and serves Midway International Airport in Chicago, the city's second-largest airport. The turnstiles at the station's entrance are somewhat wider than most to accommodate airport passengers and their luggage. The station, along with the rest of the Orange Line, opened on October 31, 1993, after a long wait by Chicago's southwest side for 'L' access. It is also the closest station to Toyota Park, home of the Chicago Fire Major League Soccer Team, approximately 4 miles away. Although in the Garfield Ridge community area, the station serves many residents in the West Elsdon and West Lawn neighborhoods.
Contents
History
Prior to 1993, the southwest side was served only by the Douglas Park Branch of the West-Northwest Line. As the city expanded, this service became insufficient. During the 1940s, when subways were being constructed under State and Dearborn Streets, the city planned to expand the “L” to Midway Airport. However, this plan was not approved.
On January 22, 1990, there was a groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of Midway Station. Many people attended, including Mayor Daley, Bernard Ford, the CTA Acting Executive Director, and David Williams, the Chicago public works commissioner. In 1993, the CTA finished building the new Orange Line. It cost about $500 million despite the use of abandoned railroad right-of-ways. Midway Station includes a three-track terminal, a yard, a car maintenance facility, an island platform, elevators leading to the sidewalk, and escalators and stairs connecting to the moving walkway heading to the airport.
When the garage was built on the east side of Cicero, it bisected the walkway from the station to the airport. In 2002, the Department of Aviation built a walkway through the garage.
Bus connections
CTA
Pace
River Valley Metro