Ashland
1600W
3000S
3000S
Ashland is just north of the the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) which is parallel to the station. The NE Loop-bound end is directly over the South Branch of the Chicago River. Freight tracks run just north of this 'L' station. These cross the river on a draw bridge that clearly hasn't been raised since the Orange Line was built (it is at the same height and is a fixed span). To exit the platform there is a staircase, a combined up escalator/staircase and an elevator down to the station house on the south side of the railway viaduct. This area has a simple grey tile scheme with a narrow, yellow trim line. There are doors out to the street at each end of the station house: The SW end leads to a covered bus loop that has a second middle island serving each direction of Route 9. Northbound is along the sidewalk to the station, Southbound is the island. It then provides the closest access to Ashland Avenue. Across this intersection from the bus loop is West 31st Place. The other western exit provides access to a pedestrian path that goes under the Stevenson Expressway. The stop is one of the few on the Orange Line that lacks Parking.
All photos taken on 2 August, 2012
