Template:Wilson Reconstruction Existing

This map depicts the existing conditions prior to the reconstruction of the station, which took place between 2014 and 2017.

Southbound and northbound Red Line trains used Tracks 2 and 3 (the inner two tracks) respectively and stopped at the center island platform. Northbound Purple Line Express trains used Track 4 (the easternmost track) but did not stop at the island platform between Tracks 3 and 4. Tracks 2, 3, and 4, all shared the same right-of-way on steel, open-deck elevated structure.

Southbound Purple Line Express trains operated on Track 1, which (south of Lawrence) split from the other three tracks. The side platform on this track was not used in regular service but was kept in operational condition for reroutes on the Red Line. It was connected to the main station via a walkway below track-level.

The structure for Track 1 was built as an incline to ground level for Milwaukee Road freight trains. A connector from this incline to the existing Track 1 was added in the 1950s south of the side platform to create four through-tracks through the station. The incline south of the junction with the connector had been abandoned and partially demolished for several decades prior to the start of the reconstruction project.