Van Aken–Lee (RTA Rapid Transit station)
Van Aken – Lee | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTA 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°WCoordinates: 41°27′59″N 81°33′55″W / 41.46639°N 81.56528°W | ||||||||||
| Owned by | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority | ||||||||||
| Line(s) | |||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 side platforms | ||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | ||||||||||
| Connections |
 RTA Bus: 37 (Weekdays), 40 | ||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||
| Structure type | Below grade | ||||||||||
| Parking | No adjacent parking | ||||||||||
| Disabled access | Yes | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | April 11, 1920 | ||||||||||
| Rebuilt | 1981, 2015 | ||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||
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| Location | |||||||||||
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Van Aken – Lee 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
- Shaker Town Centre (shopping center)
- Shaker Heights Public Library
- Shaker Heights City Hall
- Warrensville West Cemetery
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]
References
- ↑ Toman, James (1990). The Shaker Heights Rapid Transit. Glendale, Calif.: Interurban Press. p. 22. ISBN 0-916374-95-5.
- ↑ Toman (1990). p. 20.
- ↑ Toman (1990). p. 111.
- ↑ http://www.riderta.com/news/rta-dedicates-new-lee-van-aken-station-blue-line
- ↑ "Van Aken-Lee Rapid Station". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 19 January 2015.