Midway station (CTA)

Last updated

Midway Pictograms-nps-airport inverted color.svg
 
5900S
4600W
Chicago 'L' rapid transit station
Train and empty track at Midway.jpg
General information
Location4612 West 59th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60629
Coordinates 41°47′12″N87°44′16″W / 41.78661°N 87.737875°W / 41.78661; -87.737875
Owned by Chicago Transit Authority
Line(s)Midway Branch
Platforms1 island platform
1 side platform
Tracks3
Connections
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
Parking Aiga parking inv.svg 299 spaces
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
History
OpenedOctober 31, 1993;31 years ago (1993-10-31)
Passengers
20241,599,477 [1]  Increase2.svg 4.5%
Services
Preceding station Chicago Transit Authority Logo.svg Chicago "L" Following station
Terminus Orange Line Pulaski
toward Loop
(Library)
Location
Midway station (CTA)

Midway is an 'L' station on the CTA's Orange Line. It is the southwestern terminus of the Orange Line and serves Midway International Airport in Chicago, the city's second-largest airport. The turnstiles at the station's entrance are somewhat wider than most to accommodate airport passengers and their luggage. The station, along with the rest of the Orange Line, opened on October 31, 1993 after a long wait by Chicago's southwest side for 'L' access. It is also the closest station to SeatGeek Stadium, former home of the Chicago Fire, which is approximately 4 miles away. Although in the Garfield Ridge community area, the station serves many residents in the West Elsdon and West Lawn neighborhoods. Unlike O'Hare, passengers using Midway station do not pay an airport surcharge in addition to the standard "L" fare.

Contents

History

Midway destination sign Midway-sign.svg
Midway destination sign
20150321 05 CTA buses @ Midway Orange Line.jpg

Prior to 1993, the southwest side was served only by the Douglas Park Branch of the West-Northwest Line. As the city expanded, this service became insufficient. As early as the 1940s, when subways were being constructed under State and Dearborn Streets, the city planned to expand the 'L' to Midway Airport. However, this plan was not approved.

On January 22, 1990, there was a groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of Midway Station. Many people attended, including Mayor Daley; Bernard Ford, the CTA Acting Executive Director; and David Williams, the Chicago public works commissioner. In 1993, the CTA finished building the new Orange Line. It cost $500 million despite the use of abandoned railroad right-of-ways. Midway Station includes a three-track terminal, a rail yard, a car maintenance facility, an island and side platform, elevators leading to the sidewalk, and escalators and stairs connecting to the moving walkway heading to the airport.

When the garage was built on the east side of Cicero, it bisected the walkway from the station to the airport. In 2002, the Department of Aviation built a walkway through the garage.

Bus connections

CTA

Pace

River Valley Metro

References

  1. ↑ "Annual Ridership Report – Calendar Year 2024" (PDF). Chicago Transit Authority. January 22, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
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