CTA To Renovate Historic Quincy 'L' Station In The Loop
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The CTA's most historic 'L' station is about to get a makeover -- complete with very modern elevators.
Mass transit was in its infancy and the Wright brothers were still six years away from flying their first airplane when the Quincy/Wells 'L' station was built, in 1897.
In 1988, the CTA returned it to its as-built appearance; complete with an ornate ticket agent's booth, pressed-tin ceiling, brass fittings, polished wood, and period ads. But that has meant little to passengers with disabilities, who cannot climb the wooden stairs to the platform, more than 20 feet above Wells Street.
CTA President Dorval Carter said the $18.2 million dollar makeover will put elevators at one end of each platform.
"It's a very busy station for us, and I think it will be a tremendous improvement to our customers and particularly to our disabled customers to access that station and that corner of the Loop," he said.
Quincy/Wells is the closest Loop 'L" stop to Union Station, and serves the Brown, Orange, Pink and Purple Lines.
Work is to begin later this year.
The CTA awarded the contract to Park Ridge-based Ragnar Benson Construction LLC, which performed Loop track renewal work in 2012.