Clark/Lake station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | September 22, 1895 (elevated station) |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Chicago Loop |
| Products | Rapid transit services (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Blue Lines) |
Clark/Lake stands as a prominent 'L' station situated at 100/124 West Lake Street within Chicago's Loop area. It offers convenient access from both the James R. Thompson Center and the 203 North LaSalle building. This station features a combination of an elevated platform and an underground subway platform. The elevated section accommodates the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines, whereas the subway platform is designated for the Blue Line.
By December 2014, Clark/Lake recorded an average weekday entry of 17,644 passengers, making it the second most frequented station in the entire 'L' network and the busiest among Loop Elevated stations. It also serves important commercial centers such as the Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago City Hall, and the Chicago Title and Trust Center. In 2018, ABC 7 Chicago identified this station as having the highest rate of pickpocketing incidents across all CTA stations.
Elevated station (1895–1992)
The elevated station originally opened on September 22, 1895, as one of three stops on the Lake Street Elevated Railroad’s "Wabash extension." This extension later became part of the Union Loop’s Lake Street segment upon its completion in 1897.
Subway station (1951–1992)
The subway portion began operations under the name Lake Transfer on February 25, 1951.
Combined station (1992–present)
From 1988 through 1992, a reconstruction project transformed the elevated station, establishing its primary entrance inside the James R. Thompson Center. This redevelopment allowed passengers to transfer between elevated and subway platforms within a single paid zone. As a result, one unified station now serves six out of eight CTA lines: the Blue Line utilizes the subway platform; the Green Line stops on both sides of the elevated structure; Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines serve the Inner Loop platform; while Brown Line trains use the Outer Loop platform.
Bus connections
- 22 Clark (Owl Service)
- 24 Wentworth (Weekdays only)
- 134 Stockton/LaSalle Express (Weekday Rush Hours only)
- 135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express (Weekday Rush Hours only)
- 136 Sheridan/LaSalle Express (Weekday Rush Hours only)
- 156 LaSalle (Weekdays only)