Commuters utilizing Ogilvie Transportation Center on West Madison Street in Chicago should be aware of an entrance closure planned for Tuesday evening’s rush hour. This closure is due to a scheduled protest taking place outside the nearby Accenture Tower. Metra officials are advising passengers to utilize an alternative entrance to access their trains.
For those who typically enter Ogilvie Transportation Center via the West Madison Street entrance, the recommended alternative is the French Market entrance. This entrance is conveniently located just one block north on Clinton Street, providing continued access to the station.
In addition to the Ogilvie entrance changes, commuters using Union Station’s Madison Street staircases for the Milwaukee District lines will also experience disruptions. Two out of the three staircases that lead from Madison Street down to the Union Station platforms will be closed. Only one staircase, specifically the one serving tracks 9-11, will remain open for passenger access.
Metra has issued an advisory encouraging all commuters traveling through Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station during the Tuesday evening rush hour to factor in extra travel time due to these access modifications. The closures are anticipated to cause some congestion and potentially slower entry into the stations.
The entrance closure at Ogilvie Transportation Center impacts several Metra lines originating from this station, including:
- Union Pacific North Line (serving Waukegan/Kenosha)
- Union Pacific Northwest Line (serving Harvard/Crystal Lake)
- Union Pacific West Line (serving Elburn)
While the Milwaukee District lines operate from Union Station, the Madison Street staircase closures will affect passengers using the:
- Milwaukee District North Line (serving Fox Lake)
- Milwaukee District West Line (serving Elgin)
These planned protests are occurring in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago this week, with events centered at the United Center. The Accenture Tower, the location of the protest, is situated at 500 W. Madison St and also houses the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago, which may be related to the nature of the demonstration. Commuters are advised to stay informed about any further updates and allow for additional time when navigating these transportation hubs on Tuesday evening.
