Austin station construction forces riders to walk extra block
Months of construction test commuters' patience as $25 million accessibility project continues
West Side commuters have been adding an extra block to their daily trek since June, when the CTA closed the main entrance to Austin station for a $25 million renovation to make the Green Line stop wheelchair accessible.
The project is part of the Chicago Transit Authority's All Stations Accessibility Program, which aims to make all rail stations ADA accessible by 2038 by upgrading or replacing elevators. According to the CTA, 104 out of 146 rail stations are currently meeting accessibility standards, and Austin is one of 14 stations in various stages of planning or construction.
Austin station, one of the oldest on the Green Line, is now undergoing its most significant upgrade in decades. The station first opened in 1899 and was rebuilt in 1962, serving generations of residents on the West Side. The CTA broke ground on the project in March, and construction ramped up in June with the main entrance closure.
During the groundbreaking ceremony held on March 31st, Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “Today’s groundbreaking at Austin Station represents our shared commitment to equity across Chicago. Accessibility is not a luxury nor is it optional; it is a fundamental right."
Chicago Transit Authority acting president Nora Leerhsen and other dignitaries joined Johnson at the ceremony.
For disability rights advocates, the renovation represents long-overdue progress. As Access Living President & CEO, Karen Tamley said, “This groundbreaking is more than a construction milestone, it’s a promise of greater independence and opportunity for all.”
For resident Matthew Miller, climbing the 28 steps carrying his 25-pound electric scooter isn’t ideal, but it's manageable. “I might still take the stairs even if there was an elevator, but it’s not a deal breaker. Coming home, I get off at the Ridgeland stop, just to avoid the construction.”
Others find the detour to be more disruptive, as Amari M., who also uses an electric scooter, said, “They wouldn’t do this downtown. Is there no possible way to finish this work faster?” Without updates from the CTA, some riders feel left in the dark about when relief will come.
The CTA has not responded to emails asking for an update on the project's timeline.
Construction has closed part of the sidewalk on Corcoran Place between Austin Boulevard and Mason Street. Riders must either cross to the opposite side of Corcoran Place or follow the fenced-off area to a temporary entrance at Mason, roughly a block from the original entrance.
Jane A., a college student who lives in the area and who asked not to use her full name, was caught off guard. “I wasn’t expecting the main entrance to be closed, and I was trying to find the new entrance at first. I know it’s what’s best for the neighborhood.”
Construction, which includes the installation of a new elevator and escalator connecting the platform, is expected to be completed by early 2026. Other improvements include the reconstruction of the stairs, a new ADA-compliant ramp, extension of the platform, and other station enhancements.
Until then, riders will continue navigating the detour, lengthening their daily trips, while awaiting a station that will serve all residents, regardless of mobility. This inconvenience ultimately highlights how years of deferred accessibility have forced West Side residents to bear the burden of belated progress.
