The Milwaukee–Dearborn subway is an underground section of the Chicago "L" system in The Loop, Chicago, Illinois. It is 3.85 mi (6.20 km) long and forms the central part of the Blue Line. As of February 2013, the subway serves an average of 44,584 passengers each weekday.[1] Since the subway is served by the Blue Line, it is open to passengers 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

Milwaukee–Dearborn subway
Platform at Jackson/Dearborn
Overview
StatusOperational
LocaleChicago, Illinois, United States
Termini
Stations9
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemChicago "L"
ServicesBlue
Operator(s)Chicago Transit Authority
Rolling stock2600-series, 3200-series, 7000-series
Daily ridership47,917 (average weekday 2019)
History
OpenedFebruary 25, 1951; 73 years ago (1951-02-25)
Technical
Line length3.85 mi (6.20 km)
CharacterSubway
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationThird rail, 600 V DC
Route map

Evergreen Junction
Division
Chicago
Grand
Clark/Lake
WashingtonWashington
Monroe
JacksonJackson
LaSalle
Chicago River
Clinton

History

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The Milwaukee–Dearborn subway project was funded by New Deal programs established by Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. In 1937, the city of Chicago successfully applied for a federal grant and loan from the Works Progress Administration to fund the construction of two subway tunnels, the first of which would be built beneath State Street and the second beneath Milwaukee Avenue and Dearborn Street. In March 1939, construction began on the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway. The tunnel was buried deep to enable the use of a tunnel boring machine throughout the construction of the subway. Only brief sections were built using the "cut-and-cover" method. Rationing imposed by World War II delayed completion of the subway due to a shortage of materials. Construction on the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, which was 80% completed in 1942, was temporarily halted to allow for the scarce supply of labor and materials to be used to continue construction of the State Street subway, which was considered a priority. In December 1945, the city of Chicago resumed work on the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway.[2]

The Milwaukee–Dearborn subway officially opened for passenger service on February 25, 1951. In 1958, the southern branch of the tunnel was extended under Congress Parkway, past its former terminus at LaSalle, to connect to the Congress Branch in the median of the Eisenhower Expressway. A new station was opened at this time at Clinton Street. On February 9, 1992, the Chicago Transit Authority closed the Grand/Milwaukee station due to budget cuts and low ridership. The station reopened on June 25, 1999 at 6:00 a.m. On April 13, 1992, the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway closed due to the great flood of Chicago.[3]

The three neighbouring stations in the Loop area, Washington, Monroe, and Jackson — form one long continuous platform that runs underneath Dearborn Street.

Incidents

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On July 11, 2006, a train derailment caused a fire in the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, causing the subway to be closed temporarily. 150 people were injured to varying degrees but there were no fatalities.[4]

Service

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On February 21, 1993, the CTA color-coded the lines, making the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway part of the present day Blue Line. The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day/7 days a week, providing service between O'Hare and Forest Park.

Station listing

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Station Location Notes
Division 1200 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Chicago 800 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Grand 502 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Clark/Lake   124 W. Lake Street, Chicago Originally Called Lake Transfer
Washington 127 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago
Monroe 30 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago
Jackson   312 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago
LaSalle   150 W. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago Originally Called Congress Terminal
Clinton   426 S. Clinton Street, Chicago
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References

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  1. ^ "Ridership Report: February 2013" (PDF). Chicago Transit Authority. transitchicago.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  2. ^ Graham, Garfield. "Milwaukee–Dearborn Subway". Chicago "L". chicago-l.org. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  3. ^ Reardon, Patrick (3 January 2008). "The Loop's Great Chicago Flood". Politics, Chicago Tribune. chicagotribune.com. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Chicago subway derailment injures 150 people". Life on NBC News. NBC News. 11 July 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2013.