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On Sept. 3, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) officials celebrated its 20th anniversary of providing direct service to O’Hare International Airport.

The 1984 opening of the O’Hare station was the last link the authority needed to provide direct access between the airport and downtown Chicago. Formerly known as the West-Northwest Line, the branch has been renamed the O’Hare branch of the Blue Line.

The extension to the airport has spurred business development, and provided visitors with easy access to downtown and the Loop.

Construction on the $198.9 million, 7.9-mile extension from Jefferson Park to O’Hare began in 1980. Since its opening, the extension has provided 133.4 million rides.