Chicago commuters who regularly use Ogilvie Transportation Center should be aware of a temporary entrance closure on West Madison Street due to a planned demonstration near the Accenture Tower at 500 W. Madison St. Metra officials announced that the Ogilvie Transportation Center entrance facing West Madison Street will be inaccessible during the Tuesday evening rush hour. This closure is directly related to a scheduled protest activity taking place outside the Accenture Tower, which also houses the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago.
For those who typically access Ogilvie Transportation Center from West Madison Street, Metra advises utilizing the French Market entrance. This alternative entry point is conveniently located just one block north on Clinton Street, providing continued access to the station and Metra services. Commuters are encouraged to adjust their routes and allow for a few extra minutes to navigate to this alternate entrance, especially during the peak commuting hours.
Alt text: Evening rush hour in Chicago with commuters at Ogilvie Transportation Center, impacted by West Madison Street entrance closure.
In addition to the Ogilvie Transportation Center entrance modification, commuters using Union Station’s Milwaukee District lines should also note disruptions on West Madison Street. Two of the three staircases that provide access from West Madison Street to Union Station platforms will be closed. Specifically, commuters will only have access via the track 9-11 staircase. This alteration may affect passengers utilizing the Milwaukee District North and Milwaukee District West lines, even though these lines operate from Union Station and not Ogilvie Transportation Center itself.
The planned protest action coincides with the Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago this week. While the convention events are primarily based at the United Center, related activities and demonstrations are occurring throughout the city, potentially impacting various locations, including transportation hubs like Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station.
Alt text: Road closed sign in Chicago street indicating traffic disruptions around Ogilvie Transportation Center due to planned protest.
Metra is proactively advising all passengers traveling through Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station to factor in extra time for their journeys. These temporary entrance and staircase closures are designed to ensure public safety during the protest and may cause minor delays or require commuters to adjust their usual routes within these busy transportation centers. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about real-time updates from Metra and consider checking for service alerts before commencing their travel to or from Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station on West Madison Street in Chicago, IL.
Alt text: Notice of Madison Street closure impacting access to Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station in Chicago, affecting Metra commuters.
