Western station (CTA Blue Line Forest Park branch)
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Defunct | 1953 (original elevated station) |
| Fate | Replaced by expressway-median station in 1958 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Near West Side, Chicago |
| Parent | Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) |
Western is a transit stop on Chicago's 'L' system, specifically part of the Blue Line serving the Forest Park branch. Positioned within the median of the Eisenhower Expressway, this station caters to the Near West Side area and provides access to Crane Tech High School. It is situated approximately north of the Western Avenue station (BNSF Railway) commuter rail stop.
Elevated station
The initial Western station began operations in 1895 as part of the Metropolitan West Side Elevated lines. When the skip-stop service was introduced on the Garfield Park branch in 1951, Western was classified as an A station, meaning it was served exclusively by A trains. The elevated station ceased operation in 1953 to accommodate construction of the Congress Expressway and a new expressway-median branch, during which temporary tracks were utilized along Van Buren Street.
Expressway-median station
The current expressway-median station commenced service on June 22, 1958. It retained its status as an A station under CTA's skip-stop arrangement; all stops west of Racine on the Congress branch were designated A stations, while B train service was assigned to the Douglas branch, now incorporated into the Pink Line.
Bus connections
- 7 Harrison (Weekdays only)
- 49 Western (Owl Service)
- X49 Western Express (Weekday Rush Hours only)