Damen Blue Line stop to close for renovations

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Damen station on the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line will close on Monday, Oct. 20, for major renovations and will not reopen until Dec. 22.

The construction is part of the Your New Blue modernization program. The Damen station, which originally opened in 1895, will undergo substantial improvements to the station house interior and exterior and platform, as well as structural repairs, painting, platform repairs and new finishes, improved lighting, signage and new bike racks.

The station's historic features will be preserved and restored.

During the closure of the stop, customers will be able to access the blue line from the Division and Western-O'Hare stations. The CTA will also provide additional buses on the #56 line, which runs parallel to the "L" trains along Milwaukee Avenue. Overnight, customers will be able to use the temporary #N56 Damen Station Owl route, which will have limited service along Milwaukee Avenue between the Western and Division Blue Line stations.

During the renovations, some temporary, intermittent street closures of North and Damen avenues during overnight hours will in order to complete platform repairs, installation of light poles and new rails and painting over the streets. All Blue Line customers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.