State Street subway
| Industry | Public transportation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1943 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Chicago Loop |
| Products | Subway tunnel for Chicago "L" Red Line trains |
The State Street subway comprises a 4.9-mile underground portion of the Chicago "L" network, facilitating the passage of the Red Line through the Chicago Loop. It extends beneath Clybourn Avenue, Division Street, and State Street. Operating continuously throughout the day and night, trains arrive at intervals ranging from 4 to 15 minutes. As of August 2024, its nine stations accommodate an average weekday ridership of 52,664 boardings.
Exhibiting a design influenced by the Streamline Moderne aesthetic akin to the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, this subway boasts the longest uninterrupted platform worldwide—stretching roughly 3,500 feet—linking Lake, Monroe, and Jackson stations.
Built during the era of the New Deal and inaugurated in 1943, this tunnel initially connected the North Side main line with the South Side Elevated. Since 1990, it has also provided a connection to the Dan Ryan branch, with the present service arrangement established in 1993, enabling Red Line trains to traverse from the North Side main line through this subway to Dan Ryan.
History
The State Street subway initiative was financed through New Deal programs launched by Franklin D. Roosevelt amid the Great Depression. In 1937, Chicago obtained federal funding via a grant and loan from the Works Progress Administration aimed at constructing two subway tunnels: one beneath State Street and another under Milwaukee Avenue and Dearborn Street.
Construction on the State Street subway commenced on December 17, 1938, at the intersection of State Street and Chicago Avenue. The tunnel was excavated at significant depth using a tunnel boring machine, with only limited segments constructed through cut-and-cover methods. Unlike its Milwaukee-Dearborn counterpart, this project advanced without interruptions and officially opened for service on October 17, 1943.
In November 1985, efforts began to extend the southern end of the State Street subway from its original portal at 13th and State Street to connect with the Dan Ryan branch. This extension was finalized by January 25, 1990; however, passenger operations started only after the CTA introduced color-coded lines on February 21, 1993. At that time, the State Street subway and Dan Ryan Branch were combined into the Red Line route, redirecting trains along this new extension to reach 95th/Dan Ryan. Concurrently, the South Side Elevated branch was reassigned as part of the Green Line.
During the Chicago flood on April 13, 1992, approximately 250 million gallons of water inundated Chicago’s subway system and adjacent basements. This event forced a temporary suspension of service through the State Street subway until water removal was completed.
Lake station opened independently on November 18, 1997, allowing transfers to the elevated State/Lake station. Initially integrated within Washington station, Lake became a separate facility after Washington station closed on October 23, 2006, due to construction related to the Block 37 superstation project.
Station listing
| Station | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Cta | 1599 N. Clybourn Avenue | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access | 1200 N. Clark Street | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access | 800 N. State Street | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access | 521 N. State Street | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access Template:Rint | 188 N. State Street | |
| Template:Cta | 128 N. State Street | Closed October 23, 2006 |
| Template:Cta | 26 S. State Street | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access | 230 S. State Street | |
| Template:Cta | 608 S. State Street | |
| Template:Cta Disabled access Template:Rint | 1167 S. State Street |
