Clark/Lake is the most complicated el superstation and the only el station in downtown to have passageways in existing buildings. These buildings house the station's only entrances inside of them and house connections within fare control directly down to the underground Blue Line subway station beneath. The free transfers opened on March 23, 1992 when the two stops were united as a superstation. The stop has the standard two side platforms that are nearly completely covered by a roof that covers both the platforms (with mesh walls) over the tracks which has a glass skylight in the middle. There is a middle overpass connecting the two side platforms, completely covered by the roof, with two staircases down to each. Passengers seeking stepfree transfers between the two platforms must use the elevators and use the free connecting crossunder going underground via the blue line's mezzanine. Each platform has a walkway directly from it to an adjacent building. The Inner loop platform (Orange, Pink, Purple, and southbound Green Line) has single doors that lead to an overpass directly into the Thompson Center. Here staircases, two escalators, and two elevators lead down to street level and turnstiles with the buildings atrium (and food court). Doors lead out to the southside of Lake between Clark and LaSalle. The same conveniences (the elevators make stops on three floors) lead down to the Blue lines underground mezzanine where there is an additional entrance to the Thompson Center's food court. The Outer Loop platform has a similar passageway to 203 North LaSalle that leads to stairs, escalators and elevators down first to street level turnstiles (that lead out to doors on the northside of lake Street) and continue down to the Blue Line's underground mezzanine. There are auxiliary exists from each platform at their eastern ends with High Exit Turnstiles directly on the platforms and streetstairs down to the eastern corners of Clark and Lake.
Photos 1-12 taken on 15 July, 2006, 13-26 on 3 August, 2011, 27-32 on 2 November, 2011, 33 on 2 August, 2012, 34-41 on 4 July, 2013
Clinton