The CTA Orange Line is the newest CTA route to be built from scratch. It opened on October 31, 1993 and was assigned a color from the beginning (it was called the Southwest Service during planning studies). It is an extension of 9.2 miles with 7 stations from the South Side Elevated used by the Green Line to Midway Airport giving Chicago Rapid Transit access to both of its Airports. The new portion of the line follows mainly the ROW of various freight railways. All of the new intermediate stations have island platforms, CTA Blue tactile warning strips, and canopies that cover the full length of the platform extend out to the center line of the tracks, these are held up by simple white support beams. There are simple benches along the platforms and white mesh covers the staircases/escalators and small waiting areas with heat lamps (in service during winter). At each station is a large entrance area beneath the tracks which includes the Customer Assistance Booth right along the turnstiles (the original turnstiles were only in use for the first 4 years until today's automatic fare control equipment with the Chicago Card were introduced starting in 1997) this leads out not directly to street corners but a canopied bus loop at each station. Most stations also have Park 'n' Ride lots.