The CTA California station on the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line is scheduled to reopen Thursday after a 1 ½-month renovation, and the Damen station is set to close next Monday for about two months to undergo similar improvements, transit officials reminded riders on Monday.



Work on the Damen station, which opened in 1895, will include structural repairs, painting, platform repairs and new finishes, improved lighting, signage and new bike racks, the CTA said. The station's historic features will be preserved and restored, officials said.



Meanwhile, upgrades at the Western station, which has remained open because it underwent a major renovation in 2001, are slated to be completed in late December, the CTA said.



During the temporary shutdown of the Damen stop, riders can access Blue Line trains from the adjacent Division and accessible Western stations, officials said. The stations are also served by the No. 56 Milwaukee bus route, which runs parallel to the Blue Line between Logan Square and downtown.



The CTA will also provide additional No. 56 service on weekdays and weekends, as well as additional No. 70 Division service on weekday mornings during rush period, the agency said.



During overnight hours, riders can link to Blue Line service via the temporary No. N56 Damen Station Owl route, which will have limited operation on Milwaukee Avenue parallel to the O'Hare branch. The No. N56 will serve all bus stops between the Western and Division Blue Line stations.



The renovations are part of the CTA's four-year, $492 million project to overhaul the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line.