Howdy all,
I took Amtrak from Milwaukee to Pittsburgh and back over the past week, stopping in Chicago during my layover each way. The North Concourse still allowed seating by the departure gates, but the South Concourse was blocked off for seating unlike last year. Employees had us wait in the Great Hall and then get escorted down when it was time to depart. Now, I much prefer waiting in the Great Hall than by the gates, but I’m curious, is there some sort of renovation going on? All the employees I asked about it didn’t know the reason behind the closure.
I have noticed this as well too. However I had thought that all passengers for Amtrak trains were supposed to wait in the Great Hall. Not sure if it was a temporary change for covid. Did you see construction?
I saw several people with high-visibility vests and hard hats on, but none of them seemed to be doing active construction. There were also a few small sections of the South Concourse that were roped off along with some stacked boxes, but it didn’t look like anything was being actively removed or installed. I spoke with two of the construction-dressed workers and they weren’t able to give me any information.
Also, if that was a temporary thing, that might make sense – I only started taking Amtrak last year, so the post-pandemic operation is the only thing I know :S
