The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is a convenient and affordable transit option this weekend for those traveling downtown to attend the 2015 National Football League Draft events in Grant Park.
To accommodate those traveling to/from events downtown this weekend, the CTA will be operating longer trains. Details regarding temporary changes in bus and rail service in the downtown area are outlined below.
The CTA strongly recommends that customers load transit value or unlimited-ride passes to their Ventra fare cards at rail stations, online or at more than 1,300 local retailers ahead of time or purchase a 1-day unlimited ride Ventra ticket. This will help to decrease customers’ travel time and allow them to skip long lines at station vending machines, including on return trips. Customers can also use their personal contactless bank cards to board trains and buses. For more information on how to use Ventra, visit transitchicago.com/ventra.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Rail Service
To accommodate larger crowds traveling to and from downtown area this weekend, the CTA will operate longer trains along the Blue, Brown*, Green and Orange lines during the following times:
- Thursday, April 30: beginning 4 p.m. until 12 a.m.
- Friday, May 1: beginning 4 p.m. until 12 a.m.
- Saturday, May 2: beginning 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.
*NOTE: customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time due to project work rerouting Brown Line trains to operate in the Red Line subway all weekend (see here for details).
Bus Service
Due to events associated with the 2015 NFL Draft this weekend, the following 11 downtown bus routes will be subject to temporary bus stop changes and temporary reroutes at various times. General details regarding events affecting service are available below, with more specific reroute information available by clicking on the route name.
A: Temporary Closure of Congress Plaza Affects Seven Routes
Congress Plaza is currently closed to all vehicle traffic until approximately 6 p.m. Friday, May 8. As a result, the following bus routes are not serving the stop at Congress Plaza or the stop on the northeast corner at Michigan/Congress: #7, #126, #132, #143 and #147. Westbound/northbound service along these routes will begin at Michigan/Harrison.
B. Southbound bus stops on Michigan between Van Buren/Congress temporarily relocated
Currently in effect until approximately 6 p.m. Friday, May 1, southbound buses traveling along 11 routes will be unable to make stops along Michigan Avenue between Van Buren and Congress due to a lane closure associated with the 2015 NFL Draft. Customers traveling along the following routes will need to board/exit buses from either Michigan/Jackson or Michigan/Harrison during this time: #1, #3, #4, #7, #J14, #26, #28, #126, #132, #143 and #147.
C. 12 Downtown Bus Routes Detoured Thursday Afternoon
On Thursday, April 30 beginning 2 p.m. until approximately 11 p.m., Michigan Avenue between Jackson and Balbo will be closed to all traffic due to events associated with 2015 NFL Draft. Buses operating along the following routes will be detoured to operate along State Street during this time: #1, #3, #4, #6, #7, #J14, #26, #28, #126, #132, #143 and #147.
CTA Info On-the-Go
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for timely system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
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