CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Just in time for the Democratic National Convention (DNC), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has officially opened up the new Damen Green Line station on the city's West Side.
It's been over seven years since plans for the station at Damen and Lake were announced.
"This has been years in the making, so it's an exciting day," said Alan Vaughters.
Vaughters lives two blocks from the new station, which he described as a "game changer."
"This saves me a significant amount of energy, keeps me from getting more exhausted and makes life a lot easier, gives me access to a lot more," Vaughters said.
The station is at the same site as the Robey station, which was one of the city's first "L" stations but closed 76 years ago. The new station fills a 1.5-mile gap between the Ashland and California stops on the Green Line.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the $80 million project aims to connect those on the Near West Side to opportunities beyond their neighborhood.
"This region was neglected and ignored, and with the opening of this station, we take another step in our city's journey to reverse the historic disinvestment of this community," Johnson said.
The station is less than a half-mile walk from the United Center, which will host the DNC in two weeks.
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