Clark and Lake Station - Brown Line

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Clark and Lake Station – Brown Line

Address: 124 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60601
Type of Station: Elevated and Subway
Connections:

• CTA Buses: #22, #24, #134, #135, #136, #156 (and #124 eastbound on Wacker)
  Notes:
• Free transfer is available between all 'L' routes serving this station.

Brown Line Schedule:

• Brown Line Schedule (PDF)

CTA Brown Line Station Listing Listings By Neighborhood

Albany Park: 3 Stops

• Kimball: Located in Albany Park, this station offers disabled access and parking facilities. It serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes 81, 82, and 93.
• Kedzie: Provides disabled access.
• Francisco: Offers disabled access.

Lincoln Square: 4 Stops

• Rockwell: Located in Lincoln Square, this station provides disabled access.
• Western: Situated in Lincoln Square, this station offers disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes 11, 49, 49B, and X49.
• Damen: Provides disabled access and serves as a mainline rail interchange with Metra's Union Pacific North line at Ravenswood. It also functions as a bus interchange for CTA Bus route 50.

North Center: Stops

• Montrose: Located in Lincoln Square/North Center, this station offers disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus route 78.
• Irving Park: Situated in North Center, this station provides disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus route 80.
• Addison: Offers disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus route 152.

Lake View: 4 Stops

• Paulina: Located in Lake View, this station offers disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus route 9.
• Southport: Provides disabled access.
• Belmont: Situated in Lake View, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Red and Purple lines. It also functions as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes 22 and 77.
• Wellington: Offers disabled access.

Lincoln Park: 7 Stops

• Diversey: Located in Lincoln Park, this station provides disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus route 76.
• Fullerton: Situated in Lincoln Park, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Red and Purple lines. It also functions as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes 37 and 74.
• Armitage: Provides disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus route 73.
• Halsted: Currently closed.

Near North Side: 6 Stops

• Larrabee: Currently closed.
• Sedgwick: Located in Near North Side, this station offers disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes N9, 37, and 72.
• Chicago: Situated in Near North Side, this station offers disabled access and serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes 37 and 66.
• Grand: Currently closed.
• Kinzie: Closed in 1921; replaced by Grand.
• Merchandise Mart: Located in Near North Side, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Purple line. It also functions as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes 37 and 125.

The Loop: 12 Stops

• Randolph/Wells: Currently closed; partially demolished and replaced by Washington/Wells.
• Washington/Wells: Situated in The Loop, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Orange, Purple, and Pink lines. It also functions as a mainline rail interchange with Metra lines Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest, and Union Pacific West at Ogilvie Transportation Center. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for various CTA Bus routes.
• Madison/Wells: Currently closed; demolished and replaced by Washington/Wells.
• Quincy: Provides disabled access and serves as a mainline rail interchange with Metra lines BNSF, Heritage Corridor, Milwaukee District North, Milwaukee District West, North Central Service, and SouthWest Service at Union Station. It also functions as an Amtrak interchange for various long-distance and intercity routes. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes.
• LaSalle/Van Buren: Located in The Loop, this station offers disabled access and serves as a mainline rail interchange with Metra trains Rock Island at LaSalle Street Station. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes.
• Harold Washington Library: Situated in The Loop, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Orange, Purple, and Pink lines. It also functions as a mainline rail interchange with Metra line Red at Jackson, and with Metra line Blue at Jackson. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes.
• Adams/Wabash: Located in The Loop, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Orange, Green, Purple, and Pink lines. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes.
• Madison/Wabash: Currently closed; demolished and replaced by Washington/Wabash.
• Washington/Wabash: Situated in The Loop, this station offers disabled access and serves as a mainline rail interchange with Metra line Metra Electric at Millennium Station. It also functions as a mainline rail interchange with NICTD South Shore Line at Millennium Station. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes.
• Randolph/Wabash: Currently closed; demolished and replaced by Washington/Wabash.
• State/Lake: Located in The Loop, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Red at Lake. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes.
• Clark/Lake: Situated in The Loop, this station offers disabled access and serves as a metro interchange for CTA 'L' trains Blue, Green, Purple, Orange, and Pink lines. Additionally, it serves as a bus interchange for CTA Bus routes.

CTA History and the Brown Line

The Northwestern Elevated Railroad inaugurated the Ravenswood line, later known as the Brown Line, connecting the existing main line to Western Avenue in Lincoln Square on May 18, 1907. The extension to the Kimball terminal was completed on December 14, 1907.

Over the years, several significant renovations and expansions have enhanced the Brown Line's infrastructure and accessibility. In the 1970s, the Kimball terminal underwent a complete renovation, coinciding with the construction of a new bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River. Subsequently, in the 1980s, both the Western and Merchandise Mart stations were rebuilt, marking substantial improvements to the line.

Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project:

The Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project, spanning from 2004 to 2009, aimed to revitalize aging infrastructure and enhance passenger capacity. Commencing with signal upgrades in late 2004, the project progressed with the modernization of the right-of-way, particularly at Clark Junction, in February 2006. Significant efforts were directed towards station reconstruction, focusing on ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accommodating eight-car trains, a notable increase from the previous maximum of six cars.

While Merchandise Mart station had already undergone reconstruction from 1987 to 1988 and was ADA compliant, the remaining stations underwent extensive rebuilding or modification. Notably, Kimball and Western stations received minor platform extensions alongside other enhancements, while the remaining 16 stations were entirely reconstructed.

The project achieved significant milestones with the reopening of the first two stations, Kedzie and Rockwell, on August 16, 2006, followed by the reopening of all stations by July 30, 2009, culminating in the completion of the project on December 31, 2009.

CTA Brown Line:

The Brown Line, part of Chicago's iconic "L" system, stretches over 11.4 miles, encompassing 27 stations from the vibrant Albany Park neighborhood to downtown Chicago. As one of the city's primary rapid transit arteries, it operates predominantly above ground, boasting nearly complete grade separation. With an average of 28,315 passengers boarding each weekday in 2022, it ranks as the third-busiest 'L' route, facilitating seamless commuting for countless Chicagoans.

Before the adoption of color-coded lines in 1993, the Brown Line was affectionately known as the Ravenswood Route, encompassing stations from Belmont to Kimball, collectively referred to as the Ravenswood branch. The shuttle service between Kimball and Belmont was aptly named the Ravenswood Shuttle.

In a 2005 poll conducted by the Chicago Tribune, readers crowned the "L" as one of the "seven wonders of Chicago," a prestigious accolade underscoring its cultural significance and impact on the city's landscape. Earning its place alongside iconic landmarks like the lakefront and Wrigley Field, the "L" stands as a symbol of Chicago's rich heritage and unwavering spirit of innovation in public transit.

The Brown Line embarks on its journey from the northwest side of Chicago, commencing at the Kimball terminal in Albany Park. Traversing street-level tracks between Leland and Eastwood Avenues to Rockwell, the line then ascends via a ramp to the elevated structure for the remainder of the route.

A unique feature of the Brown Line's street-level section is its reliance on third rail power, rather than overhead catenary, a rarity among U.S. at-grade rail systems. 

Southward bound, the Brown Line aligns parallel to Metra's Union Pacific North railroad line and Ravenswood Avenue, veering east near the Addison station before snaking through Lakeview. From Belmont to Armitage, it shares tracks with the Red Line, with Purple Line Express trains joining during weekday rush hours.

Continuing its journey, the Brown Line meanders through Lincoln Park and the Near North Side, stopping at notable landmarks like the Merchandise Mart before crossing the Chicago River on the upper level of the Wells Street Bridge. Navigating the Loop counter-clockwise via Wells-Van Buren-Wabash-Lake, it services all Loop stations before retracing its path northward to Kimball terminal.

Divided into three sections, the Brown Line encompasses the Ravenswood Branch, the North Side Main Line, and the Loop segment, each offering a unique perspective of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods and bustling urban landscape. With its distinctive route and rich history, the Brown Line stands as an integral part of Chicago's vibrant transit network, connecting communities and facilitating the daily journeys of countless passengers.

CTA Brown Line Operating hours and frequency:

The Brown Line offers extensive service hours to accommodate the diverse schedules of its passengers. On weekdays and Saturdays, trains operate between Kimball and the Loop from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., while on Sundays, service runs from 5 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. For the convenience of late-night travelers, the Brown Line Shuttle service operates solely between Kimball and Belmont from 1:30 a.m. to 2:25 a.m. At Belmont, southbound passengers can seamlessly transfer to the 24-hour Red Line.

During peak hours on weekdays, trains run with intervals ranging from three to eight minutes, ensuring efficient transportation for commuters. Midday service maintains a frequency of seven to eight minutes, while nighttime service operates at intervals of six to twelve minutes.

Chicago Neighborhoods With Brown Line Stops

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CTA Brown Line Stations

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