California - CTA Green Line

California is a Green Line Station located on the elevated structure above Lake Street that was totally rebuilt in 1996 with a 'modern' design. The station has two side platforms that are canopied except at their western ends. There is a secondary higher canopy that is unique to the station and crosses over both platforms and the tracks by the station's entrance. Here two staircases at the SE and SW corners of California Avenue and Lake Street and an elevator at the SW corner lead up an on platform fare control area with turnstiles leading directly onto the Loop-bound platform. Entering passengers needing the Harlem-bound platform must use the overpass with a staircase followed by an elevator up from each platform at the extreme eastern end of the station. To exit the station from the Harlem-bound platform there is a staircase down to a high turnstile at street level to the NW corner of California Avenue and Lake Street. There are secondary exit at the western end from the Loop-bound platform only (how many passengers are riding from Oak Park just to California?) with a staircase down to a high turnstile at street level at the SE corner of Mozart and Lake Streets. Photos 1-9 taken on 17 July, 2009, 10-16 on 2 November, 2011

The blur of #2859 leaving

Looking across to the turnstiles and only station entrance

The two entrance staircases

Across to a high turnstile exit

A streetview of a Green Line train on its el

Exit at Mozart is only from the Loop-bound platform

Beneath the western end of the platform

Approaching the station from the north, notice how the two elevator shafts stick out

Looking up at the glass waiting area on the Harlem-bound platform, no turnstiles here, all must enter via the Loop-bound platform and use the overpass

A High Exit Turnstile from the Harlem-bound platform

The two entrance staircases

Overpass view of the odd portion of the canopy

A platform sign glows yellow from heat lamps that help warm waiting passengers