Green Line (CTA)
| Company type | Rapid transit line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Chicago metropolitan area |
| Products | Rapid transit service |
| Owner | Chicago Transit Authority |
The Green Line represents a rapid transit corridor in Chicago, managed by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) as part of the Chicago "L" network. It stands out as the sole fully elevated route within the system, unlike other lines that feature combinations of elevated tracks, subways, surface-level segments, or alignments within freeway medians. Distinctively, the Green Line serves three terminal points: trains departing from Harlem/Lake alternate destinations between Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove.
This line includes the oldest infrastructure in the network, originating from 1892, and stretches over with a total of 31 stations. It links the western suburbs of Oak Park, Illinois and Forest Park, Illinois (Harlem/Lake) through Chicago’s West Side to the central Chicago Loop, then continues southward to communities such as West Englewood (Ashland/63rd) and Woodlawn (Cottage Grove).
Lake Street Elevated
Beginning at the yard and maintenance facilities located in Forest Park, the Green Line proceeds eastward through Oak Park on an embankment running alongside Metra's Union Pacific West Line tracks from its Harlem Avenue terminus to just west of Laramie Avenue. At this point, it transitions onto a steel elevated structure positioned directly above Lake Street, a major east–west artery.
The route crosses several railroad lines including the Belt Railway of Chicago main line and Union Pacific's Rockwell Subdivision before entering downtown Chicago near Clinton Street. Eastward from Clinton, it spans over Metra's Union Pacific tracks close to Ogilvie Transportation Center and the Chicago River, then merges with the Union Loop "L" tracks at Wells Street.
The Loop
Within downtown Chicago, the Green Line operates on the renowned Union Loop "L" alongside the Brown, Orange, Pink, and during weekday peak hours, the Purple Line Express. The line runs in both directions solely on the Lake Street and Wabash Avenue sides of the Loop, excluding Wells and Van Buren streets.
The Green Line is unique in having two points of ingress and egress to the Loop, operating bi-directionally without terminating there. It shares track space on the Wabash and Lake sides with the Orange, Pink, Purple, and Brown Lines, all of which circulate around before returning to their respective terminals.
South Side Elevated
Departing from the Loop at Tower 12, the Green Line follows Wabash Avenue incorporating an "S" curve that was realigned in 2002. It then runs along an alley situated between Wabash and State Streets extending to 40th Street. This 3.8-mile stretch is recognized as Chicago's oldest segment of "L" track. Between the Loop and 17th Street, it shares rails with the Orange Line, with transfer options available at Roosevelt/Wabash station.
Additional stops along this section include and , positioned near the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology and Chicago Police Headquarters. At 40th Street, the line turns eastward toward Indiana station before proceeding south between Calumet and Prairie Avenues to , then continues south to 59th Street where it divides into two branches: Englewood (Ashland/63rd) and Jackson Park (East 63rd). Prior to renovations in 1994, the East 63rd branch extended further east to Stony Island Avenue but was gradually truncated in stages during 1982 and 1996.
Ashland branch
The Ashland branch extends southward and westward along 59th Street, Princeton Avenue, and 63rd Street, terminating at the Ashland terminal in West Englewood. Situated south of the former Racine station and the Ashland/63rd terminal is the yard and inspection facility. The "L" tracks continue westward to a dead-end at Hermitage Avenue, originally planned for a westward expansion that was abandoned in the late 1970s. Prior to 1992, the Englewood branch included stops at Wentworth and Harvard, which were closed following CTA service reductions. Currently, Halsted/63rd stands as the only active station on this branch.
In March 2013, the CTA officially renamed the Englewood branch to the Ashland branch.
East 63rd branch
The East 63rd branch departs south from the mainline between Calumet and Prairie Avenues, passing by former yard and maintenance facilities located at 61st Street in Washington Park. The line then curves eastward over 63rd Street to its present terminus at Cottage Grove/63rd in Woodlawn. Before 1994, the Jackson Park branch ended at University/63rd, and prior to that, from 1893 until 1982, at Stony Island/63rd. The stations at 61st Street and 58th Street were also closed in 1994.
Operating hours and headways
Weekdays see the Green Line operating from 4 a.m. until 1 a.m., while on weekends service begins at 5 a.m. and continues until 1 a.m. Trains run every 12 minutes between Harlem/Lake and Garfield, with intervals tightening to as little as 10 minutes during weekday peak periods. On branches leading to Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove, headways are approximately twice as long.
Rolling stock
The Green Line utilizes Bombardier-manufactured 5000-series railcars, which were introduced on July 1, 2012, following their full deployment on the Pink Line. As more of these cars were integrated into the Green Line fleet, remaining 2400-series vehicles were reassigned for final use on the Red, Purple, and Orange Lines. Occasionally, loaned 2600-series and 3200-series cars from Blue, Brown, and Orange Lines supplemented service when necessary.
By mid-May 2013, after fully transitioning to the 5000-series cars, borrowing older models ceased. The Green Line became the second CTA route fully equipped with these modern cars after the Pink Line. Both lines often share rolling stock during shortages. Since 2020, six-car trains have been standard on all Green Line services.
History
The Green Line operates over two of the earliest segments of the Chicago "L". The South Side section commenced operations in 1892 to offer affordable mass transit connecting downtown Chicago with the site of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park. The initial stretch of the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad opened on June 6, 1892, running from Wabash Avenue to State Street and continuing southward to 39th Street (Pershing Road). By May 1, 1893, it extended to Jackson Park amid rapid development in the area.
Between 1905 and 1908, expansions included construction of branches serving Englewood, Normal Park, Kenwood, and Stock Yards. Today, only the Englewood and Jackson Park branches remain operational; the others were closed during the 1950s due to declining ridership.
The Lake Street Elevated Railroad—Chicago's second rapid transit line—began service on November 6, 1893. Initially running from Madison and Market streets westward to Lake Street and California Avenue, it gradually extended west to Forest Park by 1910. Political disputes in Cicero led to Austin’s annexation by Chicago in 1899 to ensure transit access. Later on, Oak Park residents strongly opposed Green Line closures that impacted their service.
From 1913 through 1993, the Englewood and Jackson Park branches operated as part of the North–South Route under various configurations. In 1943, services were rerouted through the State Street subway to enhance crosstown connectivity and alleviate congestion. A formal route designation for Howard–Englewood/Jackson Park was established by CTA in a 1949 revision.
In 1969, the Englewood branch was extended to reach Ashland Avenue-West Englewood Terminal, replacing older infrastructure. Due to structural concerns with its eastern bridge, the Jackson Park branch was truncated to University station in 1982.
The Lake Street "L" largely remained unchanged until station closures in 1948 aimed at expediting service through skip-stop operations. In 1962, its western segment was elevated along a railroad right-of-way with new stations added. By September 1969, it merged with the Dan Ryan Line forming the West–South Route (Lake–Dan Ryan), running from Forest Park through downtown to 95th/Dan Ryan—a configuration that lasted for twenty-four years and partially fulfilled plans from the canceled Chicago Central Area Transit Plan.
In February 1993, South Side routes were reorganized south of Roosevelt Road into today's Red Line (Howard–Dan Ryan) and Green Line (Lake–Englewood/Jackson Park). Both lines ended skip-stop service and began stopping at all stations continuously. This reorganization consolidated Chicago’s two oldest rapid transit segments under what is now known as the Green Line.
A comprehensive rehabilitation project—the largest transit overhaul in city history—closed the Green Line in January 1994; it reopened on May 12, 1996. Following renovation completion, six stations (Homan, Halsted, 58th, 61st, University, Racine) were permanently shuttered amid commuter dissatisfaction.
In September 1997, after political intervention and unsuccessful attempts to extend service eastward near Dorchester despite proximity to Metra Electric District and South Shore Line stations at 63rd Street, the Jackson Park branch was shortened from University to Cottage Grove.
Due to budgetary constraints in April 1998, round-the-clock Green Line service was discontinued; current operating hours are daily from 4 a.m. until 1 a.m., aligning with other CTA lines such as Purple and Pink Lines.
Accidents
On February 4, 1977, a rear-end collision took place on the sharp left curve at Wabash/Lake involving trains from the Ravenswood Line and the Lake-Dan Ryan Line. The Ravenswood train was stationary when the motorman of the Lake-Dan Ryan train failed to heed stop signals, causing three cars to derail from the elevated tracks. This tragic event resulted in 11 fatalities and left more than 180 individuals injured.
A derailment near 59th Street on May 28, 2008, occurred when two cars separated at a track switch, causing injuries to about 24 passengers.
On August 5, 2015, a derailment affected the third car of a four-car train near 63rd and Calumet. While no injuries were reported, over 80 passengers were evacuated and service between Cottage Grove and Garfield stations was temporarily halted.
A Green Line train derailed close to the 47th station on June 6, 2019, resulting in injuries to seven people.
Green Line development
Throughout the 2010s, significant expansions were undertaken on the Green Line to increase ridership and enhance connections across the West Side, Loop, and South Side. The Morgan/Lake station opened in May 2012 to accommodate growth in the Fulton Market and West Loop neighborhoods. Subsequently, in February 2015, the Cermak–McCormick Place station began operations to serve both the Motor Row District and McCormick Place Convention Center. Both stations were crafted by Chicago-based Ross Barney Architects.
The Garfield station underwent a $43 million renovation completed in January 2019 that restored its historic station house dating back to 1892. Upgrades included installation of escalators and elevators, new platform shelters, improved lighting, artwork displays, and enhancements to the surrounding streetscape—establishing a revitalized "Garfield Gateway" within Washington Park on the South Side.
On August 5, 2024, the Damen/Lake station opened, replacing an earlier station that operated from 1893 to 1948. Designed by Perkins&Will with an investment of $60 million, this new station bridged a previously existing 1.5-mile gap between California and Ashland stations.
South of Garfield, since 1994, there has been no transfer point between Englewood and Jackson Park branches near the former site of the 58th station. Each branch includes two stations: Englewood has Halsted and Ashland/63rd; Jackson Park has King Drive and Cottage Grove.
Although formal proposals are absent, reinstating a Stony Island/63rd terminal could potentially improve access to the forthcoming Barack Obama Presidential Center. Given that CTA ridership has consistently grown over several decades, further expansion of the Green Line appears conducive to maintaining this upward trend.
Station directory
<style="background-color: #bbb"> Template:Cta</style> <style="background-color: #bbb">Closed January 9, 1994; demolished; replaced by Conservatory–Central Park Drive</style> Template:CtaDisabled accessTemplate:RintMetra: Template:Rcb(at Lua error: expandTemplate: template "Metra stations" does not exist.)
Template:RintCTA bus: 52 Template:CtaDisabled accessTemplate:RintCTA bus: 94 rowspan="5" |Near West Side Template:CtaDisabled accessTemplate:RintCTA bus: 50 Template:CtaDisabled accessTemplate:RintChicago "L": Template:Rcb
Template:RintCTA buses: 9, X9 Template:CtaDisabled access <style="background-color: #bbb"> Template:Cta</style> <style="background-color: #bbb">Closed January 9, 1994; demolished</style> Template:CtaDisabled accessTemplate:RintChicago "L": Template:Rcb
Template:RintMetra: Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb(at Ogilvie Transportation Center)
Template:RintCTA bus: 56 rowspan="6" |The Loop Template:CtaDisabled access
(inner platform)Template:RintChicago "L": Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb
Template:RintList of Chicago Transit Authority bus routes :22,24,134,135,136,156 Template:Cta State/Lake
(inner platform)Template:Rint chicago lChicago "L": Template:Rcb CTA Red inline=route(at Template:Cta Lake Red)
Template:Rint Bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA Bus :2 ,6 ,10 ,29 ,36 ,62 ,146 ,148 <style="background-color:#bbb"> Template:Cta Randolph/Wabash</style> <style="background-color:#bbb">Closed September 3,2017; demolished and replaced by Washington/Wabash </style> Template:Cta Washington/WabashDisabled access
(inner platform)Template:Rint chicago metraMetra: Template:Rcb Metra me inline=square(at Millennium Station)
Template:Rint nictd NICTD: South Shore Line(at Millennium Station)
Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA Bus N4 J14 20 56 60 N66 124 147 157 <style="background-color:#bbb"> Template:Cta Madison/Wabash</style> <style="background-color:#bbb">Closed March16,2015; demolished and replaced by Washington/Wabash </style> Template:Cta Adams/Wabash
(inner platform) >Template:Rint chicago lChicago "L": Template:Rcb CTA Purple inline=route, Template:Rcb CTA Orange inline=route, Template:Rcb CTA Brown inline=route, Template:Rcb CTA Pink inline=route
>Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA Bus :1 ,7 ,28 ,126 ,151 rowspan=2Near South Side Chicago Near South Side >Template:Cta RooseveltDisabled access >Template:Rint chicago lChicago "L": Template:Rcb CTA Red inline=route, Template:Rcb CTA Orange inline=route
>Template:Rint chicago metraMetra: Template:Rcb Metra me inline=square(at Museum Campus/11th Street station)
>Template:Rint nictdSouth Shore Line(at Museum Campus/11th Street station)
>Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :1 ,3 ,4 ,X4 ,12 ,18 ,29 ,62 ,130 ,146 ,192 >Template:Cta Cermak–McCormick PlaceDisabled access >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :1 ,3 ,4 ,X4 ,21 ,29 >Douglas Chicago Douglas >Template:Cta 35th–Bronzeville–IITDisabled access >Template:Rint chicago metraMetra: Template:Rcb Metra ri inline=square(at Metra 35th Street)
>Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :29 ,31 ,35 rowspan="3"Grand Boulevard Chicago Grand Boulevard >Template:Cta IndianaDisabled access >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA bus :39 >Template:Cta 43rdDisabled access >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :3 ,43 >Template:Cta 47th GreenDisabled access >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :3 ,47 >Grand Boulevard Chicago Grand Boulevard /Washington Park (community area), Chicago Washington Park >Template:Cta 51stDisabled access >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :3 ,15 ,51 rowspan="2"Washington Park (community area), Chicago Washington Park >Template:Cta Garfield Green Access icon rint park >Transfer between Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove-bound trains.
Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :3 ,55 <style="background-color:#bbb">Template:Cta58th</style> <style="background-color:#bbb">Closed January9,1994; demolished</style> rowspan=2Englewood Chicago Englewood >Template:Cta Halsted Green Access icon >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :8 ,63 <style="background-color:#bbb">Template:Cta Racine Green</style> <style="background-color:#bbb">Closed January9,1994</style> >West Englewood Chicago West Englewood >Template:Cta Ashland/63rd Access icon rint park >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :9 ,X9 ,63 >Washington Park (community area),Chicago Washington Park ><style="background-color:#bbb">Template:Cta61st</style> ><style="background-color:#bbb">Closed January9,1994; demolished</style> >- rowspan=3Woodlawn Chicago Woodlawn >Template:Cta King Drive Access icon >Inbound boarding only.Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :3 ,63
>- >Template:Cta Cottage Grove Access icon >Template:Rint bus List of Chicago Transit Authority Bus Routes CTA buses :4 ,X4 ,63 >- <style="background-color:#bbb">Template:Cta University</style> <style="background-color:#bbb">Closed January9,1994; demolished</style>
| Location | Station | Connections/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Park/ Forest Park |
Template:Cta Disabled access | Template:Rint Metra: Template:Rcb (at Oak Park) Template:Rint CTA bus: 90 Template:Rint Pace buses: 307, 309, 313, 318 |
| Oak Park | Template:Cta | Template:Rint Pace buses: 309, 311, 313 |
| Template:Cta | Template:Rint CTA bus: 86 Template:Rint Pace buses: 309, 313, 314 | |
| Austin | Template:Cta | Template:Rint CTA bus: 91 Template:Rint Pace buses: 309, 313, 315 |
| Template:Cta Disabled access | Template:Rint CTA bus: 85 | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access | Template:Rint CTA bus: 57 | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access | Template:Rint CTA bus: 54 Template:Rint Pace bus: 392 | |
| West Garfield Park | Template:Cta Disabled access | Template:Rint CTA bus: 53 |
| East Garfield Park | Template:Cta Disabled access | |
| colspan=3 Englewood branch | ||
| colspan=3 Jackson Park branch |
External links
- Green Line on the CTA official website