Lee–Van Aken station

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.

For the station on the RTA Green Line, see Lee–Shaker station.
Lee – Van Aken
light rail station
The entrances to the Lee–Van Aken station platforms on the RTA Rapid Transit Blue Line
Location3402 Lee Road,
Shaker Heights, Ohio
Coordinates41°27′59″N 81°33′55″W
Owned byGreater Cleveland RTA
Line(s)Van Aken Boulevard
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Connections RTA: 37, 40
Construction
Structure typeBelow grade
Disabled access Yes
Other information
WebsiteLee–Van Aken Rapid Station
History
OpenedApril 11, 1920
RebuiltOctober 30, 1981
December 22, 2015
Original companyCleveland Railway
Services
Preceding station Rapid Transit Following station
Ashby
toward Tower City
 Blue Line Avalon
toward Warrensville–Van Aken

History

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]

Station platforms

Station layout

Unlike most other stations served exclusively by the Blue Line, this station is located in a cut within the median of Van Aken Boulevard just west of the Lee Road overpass. Concrete stairways with canopies and elevators lead from Lee Road down to two side platforms.

G Street level Exit/entrance, buses
P
Platform layout		 Side platform 
Westbound ←      Blue Line toward Tower City (Ashby)
Eastbound →      Blue Line toward Warrensville–Van Aken (Avalon) →
Side platform 
  • Tracks to below-grade station
  • Eastbound station entrance
  • Station signs
  • Station arch

Notable places nearby

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. "Lee–Van Aken Rapid Station". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
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