South Water St (Metra) South Water St is the northern end of the Millenium Park Randolph St station. Metra trains stop on a long platform that extends north from Randolph St to South Water St. The track arrangement for Millenium Park south to Roosevelt Rd is shown above. South Water is at the far left end of the diagram. South Shore trains do not normally use the Metra platforms at Millennium Station but can use them as needed for emergencies and maintenance on the NICTD platform area. (Metra trains can also use the NICTD platforms when needed.) Nearby Stations: Millennium Station (Metra) and Van Buren Street Station (Metra/NICTD) Access to South Water is limited to two sets of stairs that open on to Lower South Water St (not the surface street - passengers would need to navigate the lower level of the road structure). One of the staircases and an elevator extends into the building above at 225 N Michigan. | |
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| One of the Lower South Water St entrance doors to the station. | The other Lower South Water St entrance doors to the station. |
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| The stairs down to the station from Lower South Water St. | The view south down Lower Beaubien Ct. The station is to the left with an emergency exit at the bottom of the dip in the road. |
An elevator extends from the platform level to a concourse in 225 N Michigan. The passage through 225 N Michigan to South Water is available 24x7. (The city owned elevator on the corner of Randolph St and Michigan Ave is permanently out of service leaving South Water as the only ADA route for platform access. Access from the pedway through other buildings may be possible when those buildings are open.) It helps if one is familiar with the route in advance. Here are the steps: | |
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| Both sides of a sign directing pedestrians to the station. The sign on the left faces south toward pedestrians approaching who have passed the Randolph St entrance. The sign on the right faces north for pedestrians heading toward Randolph St. |
Look in the direction the arrow is pointing (east) for the main entrance. This is the main entrance to 225 N Michigan. Enter here! |
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 | The lobby of 225 N Michigan. Go past the escalators to reach the station. |
The hallway to the left leads to the station. Turn left here! |
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| This hallway leads north toward the elevator and stairs down to the station. Go to the end of the hallway. |
Approaching the elevator down to the station (keep moving forward). The stairs and escalator down also lead to the station. |
--- Side Note --- | |
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| This door is in the courtyard on the north side of the 225 N Michigan building. Look through the glass from the outside and you will see the elevator. You can also see the courtyard while inside waiting for the elevator. This door is normally found locked, preventing entry from the outdoor plaza. Annoying. Back to the instructions ... | |
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| The elevator leading to the station. Going down? (This elevator only serves the station and the lobby.) |
Elevator buttons in need of repair. This elevator will be renovated as part of the station reconstruction. I do like the train symbol next to the button. |
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| Waiting area at north end of platform. A remodel started in August 2025, after this picture was taken. | Signs near the South Water waiting room pointing passengers to the exits. |
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| Exit stairs leading to Lower South Water St and Michigan Ave via the 225 Michigan building (Michigan Plaza). | Elevator access and exit stairs leading to Lower South Water St. |
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| The view from South Water along Track 5 (right) and Track 6 (left). | The view from South Water along Track 3 (right) and Track 4 (left). |
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| A sign pointing the way to South Water and Randolph St exits. | The view south along Track 4 from mid-platform. |
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| Two sets of stairs on the platform for Track 4 (near) and Track 3 (far) as seen from the south end of Track 5. The ramp is in the distance. | The ramp up from the Track 3 / Track 4 platform to the Randolph St lobby. The ramp on the Track 5 / Track 6 platform can be seen on the left. |
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| Track 6 view outbound under Randolph St. | Track 5 view outbound under Randolph St |
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| Track 4 view outbound under Randolph St | Track 3 view outbound under Randolph St |
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| The from South Water along Track 2. Lower Beaubien Ct is to the right of the station wall. |
An emergency exit to Lower Beaubien Ct from Track 2. (This door is located mid platform.) |
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| Schedule boards are available at the end of each track. | The view north from the south end of Track 6, Track 7 leads to storage behind the roll up door. |
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| The path to Track 1 along the west side of Track 2. The platform for Track 2 continues south to serve track 1. |
Train cars occupy Track 1 in the distance as seen from Track 5. |
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| The top of the Track 3 / Track 4 ramp from the Randolph St lobby. | The top of the Track 5 / Track 6 ramp from the Randolph St lobby. Restrooms are available to the right. |