Chicago Union Station Canal St Entrance Closed

Due to construction on Canal St, the Chicago Union Station Canal St Entrance and (grand) staircase is closed and curtained off. (All the way to the roof)

On both sides of the street, or just on the grand staircase side?

The grand staircase side.

To be honest, I was more worried about finding which bus I needed to get on, so I didn't get a good luck, but I know for sure the grand staircase side is.

Can we hope that this is the start of THE construction on Canal Street? The one which will provide a center island, and separate queues for city buses, intercity buses, taxis, and dropoff/pickup? The one which is part of Loop Link? http://brtchicago.com/ That isn't scheduled to start until spring 2016, though...

It has been closed for several weeks, now. There is another entrance open (when there are not reserved events in the Great Hall) off Adams, as well as the side entrance along Jackson.

They are rebuilding the two grand staircases. The east staircase is over a room that will become a new waiting room (this space under the east staircase used as a gift shop a few years ago)

"east staircase is over a room that will become a new waiting room"

Interesting I think that is first time I'm hearing that part of things. I'll have to go re-listen to some video presentations I recorded and re-read some news articles. Staircase closing was in Chicago newspaper if I remember right and signs announced it beforehand inside Union Station. I saw sign announcements before seeing news article.

TylerP42 said:

The grand staircase side.

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That's the west side of Canal, right? I can still get in on the east side, I assume.

DSS&A said:

They are rebuilding the two grand staircases. The east staircase is over a room that will become a new waiting room (this space under the east staircase used as a gift shop a few years ago)

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That's the place the Metropolitan lounge is supposed to move to, isn't it?

George K said:

TylerP42 said:

The grand staircase side.

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That's the west side of Canal, right? I can still get in on the east side, I assume.

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Correct. I did so yesterday.

Thanks!

Going downtown tomorrow PM via BNSF, and I usually catch a cab on the Canal St. side to head over to Michigan Ave.

Good to know that I don't have to change my plans.

"That's the place the Metropolitan lounge is supposed to move to, isn't it?"

That is possible - I was thinking that might be off of main hall leading into Grand Hall - I'll have to take some time and re-listen to video I have on those plans being discussed.

Jeff Sriver Chicago Department of Transportation detailing Chicago Union Station refurbishment future upgrades April 2015 Old slides used from 2011 Master Plan Presentation. My video at around 20 minute mark talks about Met Lounge.

That video confirms Neroden is correct!! Marker 20:43.

Rick Harnish Midwest High Speed Rail Association Executive Director Ray Lang Amtrak 20:51 marker similar information

Does this mean the "kindergarten walk" will be promoted to first grade?

That "kindergarten walk" that you haters love to hate on - serves a great purpose. Although many of you feel you are above it. Every time I read comments here in regards to that - I fully understand that many of you supposed advocates do not pay attention in station. Just because your a supposed expert and don't feel the need for guidance and you must love the crazy zoo known as Hiawatha - doesn't mean that others do not benefit from that "kindergarten walk" you so hate. While you may see it as an annoyance - it is good customer service - helps many on a daily basis - granted sometimes people are still confused - sometimes by different messages given by boarding crews.

It so easy to see why things don't improve in ways they should. Sorry folks but most passengers don't want a free for all balls out run kill or be killed experience when boarding Amtrak. Just because your so smart and know it all and love a crazy zoo commuter rail experience - does not mean the rest of the world does.

Kill or be killed experience can be seen during Hiawatha boarding - especially for those heading for quiet car. Similar kill or be killed experience can be seen in Washington DC when Acela boards - especially when seeking out quiet car. Interesting watching a bunch of well dressed people act like a crazy psycho mob to board.

That's such an over-the-top characterization of the Hiawatha boarding process. Some people certainly try to rush past others, but many do not. I've ridden the Hiawatha hundreds of times over the last 15ish years and never witnessed anything like what you suggest, other than isolated individual incidents.

As far as the kindergarten walk - let's clarify what precisely we are talking about. Holding everyone in crowded waiting areas until they are walked to the platform by Amtrak staff is not good customer service. Good customer service would be having clear, consistent signage directing passengers to Train 123 on Track ABC and then having staff available to provide assistance *for those who need it*. There should be electronic signs on the platforms indicating which train is on which track in addition to the departure screens around the station. But requiring all passengers, including those who are familiar with the process, to go through the same cumbersome, slow boarding process is unnecessary.

Eric S said:

That's such an over-the-top characterization of the Hiawatha boarding process. Some people certainly try to rush past others, but many do not. I've ridden the Hiawatha hundreds of times over the last 15ish years and never witnessed anything like what you suggest, other than isolated individual incidents.

As far as the kindergarten walk - let's clarify what precisely we are talking about. Holding everyone in crowded waiting areas until they are walked to the platform by Amtrak staff is not good customer service. Good customer service would be having clear, consistent signage directing passengers to Train 123 on Track ABC and then having staff available to provide assistance *for those who need it*. There should be electronic signs on the platforms indicating which train is on which track in addition to the departure screens around the station. But requiring all passengers, including those who are familiar with the process, to go through the same cumbersome, slow boarding process is unnecessary.

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Agreed.

Also, the kindergarten walk is only from the holding pen to the gate. Being escorted those 50 feet is completely pointless if you are capable of reading and understanding signs. Plus, even with the kindergarten walk, people still try to rush ahead of each other, but it's not nearly as "kill and be killed" as you keep insisting. Sure, people walk around other people, usually in a hurry, but it's almost always because those people are walking slower than others (people with small kids, elderly, etc).

Nobody is getting pushed onto the tracks, and since there is room to walk around the slow people, why shouldn't people walk around them? I do it all the time. Just stay to the left or right instead of walking in the middle and let the fast people pass you. This is like driving 60 mph in the left lane and complaining about the "crazy" drivers on the interstate who keep passing you on the right because you won't move over.

I argue that if they let those of us who know what we're doing walk to the gate unassisted, you won't have as many people to deal with during your kindergarten walk. Instead of 200 people trying to board all at once, you'd have maybe 50. It would be a much nicer process for everyone involved. If I can get myself onto a Metra train without ending up in the wrong suburb, there's no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to walk myself out to the Wolverine.

That's the last time that I'll be posting a joke on here, as it appears that humor has no place on this board. Flame all you want, but all I was doing was engaging in some word play based on the upcoming Metropolitan Lounge improvements.

Riverviewer said:

That's the last time that I'll be posting a joke on here, as it appears that humor has no place on this board. Flame all you want, but all I was doing was engaging in some word play based on the upcoming Metropolitan Lounge improvements.

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A lot of people here are very, very sensitive about the so-called "kindergarten walk."

Riverviewer said:

That's the last time that I'll be posting a joke on here, as it appears that humor has no place on this board. Flame all you want, but all I was doing was engaging in some word play based on the upcoming Metropolitan Lounge improvements.

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I was responding to Iggy's hyperbole. I thought your joke was funny.

SarahZ said:

Riverviewer said:

That's the last time that I'll be posting a joke on here, as it appears that humor has no place on this board. Flame all you want, but all I was doing was engaging in some word play based on the upcoming Metropolitan Lounge improvements.

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I was responding to Iggy's hyperbole. I thought your joke was funny.

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Likewise.

The "Kindergarden Walk", as many like to call it serves a purpose. When the on-board staff and the conductors are ready to receive passengers, they notify the lounge staff and the passengers are led to the train. What is so wrong with this process? Does it hurt the ego of those who think they know everything about boarding trains? Does it waste time? Is it condescending to regular train riders? I have yet to see a real explanation as to what is wrong with this process. Please educate me!

What is so wrong with this process?
- Besides the two reasons you provided, the boarding of trains in the major stations uses a needlessly high number of station employees. It is not cost effective.

Does it waste time?

- Yes.

Is it condescending to regular train riders?
- Yes.

R30A said:

What is so wrong with this process?

- Besides the two reasons you provided, the boarding of trains in the major stations uses a needlessly high number of station employees. It is not cost effective.

Does it waste time?

- Yes.

Is it condescending to regular train riders?

- Yes.

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What time does it waste? The train will leave on time & generally not early. Why is it not cost effective? Have you done a study of the staff of major stations?

Regular train riders just have to get over it. It really is not such a big deal!

I agree its not a big deal. I board trains from Chicago and other stations every summer. Going this way or that way. I sit in the lounge close to the front desk waiting for the sleeper car call. When I see the lady making the announcement that has like a 30 second delay I head to rear door and patiently wait. The announcement happens and people gather. Im lead to the correct track and off I go. I could care less if someone is leading me or there is some new sign system. Unlike a lot of sleeper passengers I know my car number and my bedroom letter.