Union Station (Chicago)

Chicago Union Station
Location	225 South Canal Street Chicago, IL 60606
Coordinates	41°52′43″N 87°38′25″W / 41.87864°N 87.64025°W / 41.87864; -87.64025Coordinates: 41°52′43″N 87°38′25″W / 41.87864°N 87.64025°W / 41.87864; -87.64025
Owned by	CUST (Amtrak)
Tracks	14 (South Concourse) 10 (North Concourse)
Connections	Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach CTA "L" Lines: Connect at Quincy and Clinton stations CTA Buses Pace Buses Megabus
Construction
Parking	Yes; paid
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	CHI
Fare zone	A (Metra only)
History
Opened	1925
Traffic
Passengers (2015)	3.296 million  2.4% (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station   Amtrak   Following station Terminus Pere Marquette St. Joseph toward Grand Rapids Blue Water New Buffalo toward Port Huron Wolverine Hammond–Whiting toward Pontiac, MI Lake Shore Limited South Bend toward New York City or Boston South Station Capitol Limited South Bend toward Washington, DC Cardinal Dyer toward New York City Hoosier State Dyer toward Indianapolis Homewood toward New Orleans City of New Orleans Terminus Homewood toward Carbondale Illini and Saluki Joliet toward San Antonio or Los Angeles Texas Eagle Summit toward St. Louis Lincoln Service Naperville toward Los Angeles Southwest Chief Naperville toward Emeryville California Zephyr La Grange Road toward Quincy Illinois Zephyr Glenview toward Seattle or Portland, OR Empire Builder Glenview toward Milwaukee Hiawatha Service Metra Wrightwood toward Manhattan SouthWest Service Terminus Summit toward Joliet Heritage Corridor Halsted Street toward Aurora BNSF Railway Western Avenue toward Big Timber Road Milwaukee District West Western Avenue toward Antioch North Central Service Western Avenue toward Fox Lake Milwaukee District North   Future Services   Elgin toward Rockford-Main Street Black Hawk Terminus La Grange Road toward Moline Quad Cities Terminus
Chicago Landmark
Designated	May 1, 2002

Chicago Union Station is a major railroad station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, replacing an earlier station built in 1881. It is the only remaining intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between West Adams Street and West Jackson Boulevard, just outside the Chicago Loop. Including approach and storage tracks, it is about nine and a half city blocks in size. Its facilities are mostly underground, buried beneath streets and skyscrapers.

Chicago Union Station is the third-busiest rail terminal in the United States, after Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station in New York City. It is Amtrak's overall fourth-busiest station. It handles approximately 120,000 passengers on an average weekday and is one of Chicago’s most iconic structures, reflecting the city’s strong architectural heritage and historic achievements. Its combination of Bedford limestone Beaux-Arts facades, massive Corinthian columns, sparkling marble floors, and magnificent Great Hall, all highlighted by brass lamps, create an environment that captures the imagination of passengers and visitors who enter its premises. In addition to standing out architecturally, Union Station has features that reflect its commitment to sustainability. In 2011, its lighting system was replaced with more energy-efficient light bulbs and motion sensors, reducing the station’s carbon footprint by 4 million tons annually.

Chicago Union Station was designated as one of America’s “Great Places” in 2012 by the American Planning Association (APA). The “Great Places” program by APA highlights places streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces around America that exhibit “exemplary character, quality, and planning.” These places are unique in their cultural and historical significance, sense of community, and vision. Other criteria include “architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement.” Chicago Union Station is considered a “Great Public Space” by APA, for promoting social activity and community cohesiveness. These spaces are safe and inviting, well-maintained, and attractive, both visually and in functionality. In addition, local culture and history are reflected within the space.

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Wikipedia