Cumberland station (CTA)
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | February 27, 1983 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Rapid transit services |
Cumberland is a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' system, positioned along the Blue Line between Rosemont and Harlem. Located within the median of the Kennedy Expressway at Cumberland Avenue, it caters to Chicago's Northwest Side, including the Schorsch Forest View neighborhood in the O'Hare community area, as well as the adjacent communities of Norwood Park, Park Ridge, and Norridge. The vicinity consists of a blend of commercial and residential properties.
Initially proposed in 1972 as part of the Blue Line’s extension from Logan Square to O'Hare International Airport, Cumberland station commenced operations on February 27, 1983, alongside Harlem and River Road stations. Within a month, the extension boosted northwest CTA line ridership by 6,000 passengers, establishing Cumberland as an important suburban commuter hub. The station features a single island platform, accessible via a pedestrian overpass connecting to a southern station building and a northern stairway exit. Amenities include a bus terminal and a park-and-ride facility with 1,633 parking spaces.
Cumberland provides continuous service around the clock, with train intervals ranging from 2 to 7 minutes during peak times and less frequent schedules during off-peak periods. It also accommodates several bus services: CTA, Pace, Burlington Trailways, and Greyhound.
Location
Positioned at the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and the Kennedy Expressway (I-90, exit 79), Cumberland station lies on the boundary between the O'Hare and Norwood Park neighborhoods. It serves as the nearest 'L' stop to Park Ridge, which is situated northward along Higgins Road. The surrounding environment is characterized by a combination of planned developments alongside commercial and residential areas. Noteworthy landmarks include Citicorp Plaza—home to telecommunications firm U.S. Cellular's headquarters—located south of Cumberland at 8410 W. Bryn Mawr. To the north at 8725 W. Higgins Rd., one finds the headquarters of map publisher Rand McNally. Additionally, the Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel stands nearby at 8500 W. Bryn Mawr.
History
The proposal for extending the CTA line along the Kennedy Expressway from Jefferson Park to O'Hare Airport, which included Cumberland station, was introduced by Mayor Richard J. Daley in 1972 with an initial budget estimate of $80 million. By 1974, this figure had escalated to $174 million when the Chicago Plan Commission granted approval for the project. In 1978, federal authorities agreed to cover 80% of construction expenses, leading to commencement of work in March 1980 on the 7.9-mile extension.
Although originally slated for completion in 1982, labor strikes caused delays. The section from Jefferson Park to River Road, encompassing Cumberland station, officially opened on February 27, 1983; shuttle trains operated a day earlier to familiarize operators and staff. The total cost for this final extension reached $198.9 million, with Cumberland’s construction accounting for roughly $10 million.
Following its inauguration, ridership on northwest routes grew by approximately 6,000 monthly passengers. Cumberland rapidly emerged as a primary entry point for suburban commuters from areas such as Des Plaines and Park Ridge; only about 12.4% of individuals parking at Cumberland and Rosemont were residents of Chicago itself. This development contributed to decreased patronage on the Chicago & Northwestern's Northwest Line, which had previously served these suburban communities.
Facilities
The Cumberland station, crafted by Wojciech M. Madeyski from Perkins and Will, is characterized by an island platform positioned within the median of the Kennedy Expressway just west of Cumberland Avenue. This station accommodates two tracks of the Blue Line: one heading northbound toward O'Hare and the other southbound toward Forest Park. Since 2002, electronic displays—introduced as part of a pilot initiative—have provided passengers with up-to-the-minute train arrival times and notifications, making Cumberland one of only four 'L' stations equipped with this technology. A pedestrian bridge spans the expressway, linking the platform to entrances on both sides; the southern entrance leads to the primary station building, which features Rock Bow, a 40-foot prism sculpture encased in metal created by Charles Ross.
Located south of the platform are Cumberland’s bus terminal and a park-and-ride facility managed by CPS Parking with 1,633 parking spaces, expanded from its original 706 spaces in 1992. All station amenities are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Train Service
Situated on the CTA Blue Line, Cumberland offers continuous service around the clock between O'Hare Airport and Chicago’s downtown Loop, extending further to Forest Park. It is the third inbound stop after departing O'Hare, positioned between Rosemont and Harlem stations. During peak and midday hours, trains arrive every 7 to 10 minutes, with intervals extending up to 30 minutes overnight. Typical travel durations from Cumberland include approximately seven minutes to O’Hare, 31 minutes to Clark/Lake in the Loop, and 52 minutes to Forest Park. In 2011, the station recorded a total of 1,304,280 boardings.
Bus connections
- 81W West Lawrence
- 209 Busse Highway (Weekdays only)
- 240 Dee Road (Weekday Rush Hours only)
- 241 Greenwood/Talcott (Weekday Rush Hours only)
- 290 Touhy Avenue
- 331 Cumberland/5th Avenue
In addition to 'L' train services, Cumberland station functions as a hub for several bus routes. The CTA route 81W West Lawrence links Cumberland Avenue with Lawrence Avenue, East River Road, and the Jefferson Park Transit Center. Four Pace bus lines—240 Dee Road, 241 Greenwood/Talcott, 290 Touhy Avenue, and 331 Cumberland/5th Avenue—terminate here as well, providing connections to destinations such as the Golf Mill Shopping Center, Howard 'L' station, and suburban areas including Park Ridge, Niles, and Brookfield. Furthermore, intercity bus carriers like Greyhound and Burlington Trailways maintain stops at this location.