Van Aken–Lee (RTA Rapid Transit station)

Lee - Van Aken
 Blue Line  light rail station

The entrances to the Van Aken - Lee station platforms on the RTA Rapid Transit Blue Line
Location 3402 Lee Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120
Coordinates 41°27′59″N 81°33′55″W / 41.46639°N 81.56528°W / 41.46639; -81.56528Coordinates: 41°27′59″N 81°33′55″W / 41.46639°N 81.56528°W / 41.46639; -81.56528
Owned by Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Line(s)
  Blue Line
Platforms 2 side platforms
Tracks 2
Connections

37 (Weekdays)

40
Construction
Structure type Below grade
Parking No adjacent parking
Disabled access Yes
History
Opened April 11, 1920
Rebuilt 1981, 2015
Services
Preceding station   Rapid Transit   Following station
Blue
Line
Former Services
1920-1978
Services
  Former services  
Preceding station   Rapid Transit   Following station
Van Aken
Line
1975-1978
toward Warrensville
Shaker Heights Rapid Transit
Van Aken
Line
1944-1975
toward Warrensville
Cleveland Interurban Railroad
Moreland
Division
1920-1944
toward Warrensville

Van Aken – Lee (signed as Lee - Van Aken) is a station on the RTA Blue Line in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. It is located at the intersection of Lee Road and Van Aken Boulevard in Shaker Heights.

The station is located in a cut within the median of Van Aken Boulevard west of Lee Road. Concrete stairways with canopies and elevators lead from Lee Road down to two side platforms.

The station is located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) south of Shaker – Lee station on the Green Line.

Notable places nearby

History

A view of the station at track level from the westbound platform

The station opened on April 11, 1920 with the initiation of rail service by the Cleveland Interurban Railroad on what is now Van Aken Boulevard from Lynnfield Road to Shaker Square and then to East 34th Street and via surface streets to downtown.[1] The underpass at Lee Road was dictated by an existing creekbed at the site.[2] It is the only grade separation on the Van Aken line.

In 1980 and 1981, the Green and Blue Lines were completely renovated with new track, ballast, poles and wiring, and new stations were built along the line. The renovated line along Van Aken Boulevard opened on October 30, 1981.[3]

In March 2008, architects were selected to design a new station to replace the existing structure. The new, ADA-compliant station, includes elevators, a larger pedestrian/bus interface point and enhanced safety and security systems. Construction began on June 25, 2014, and the rebuilt station opened in December, 2015.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ Toman, James (1990). The Shaker Heights Rapid Transit. Glendale, Calif.: Interurban Press. p. 22. ISBN 0-916374-95-5.
  2. ↑ Toman (1990). p. 20.
  3. ↑ Toman (1990). p. 111.
  4. ↑ http://www.riderta.com/news/rta-dedicates-new-lee-van-aken-station-blue-line
  5. ↑ "Van Aken-Lee Rapid Station". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 19 January 2015.

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