CTA enhances train service for NFL Draft and Polish Constitution Day Parade and re-routes several downtown bus routes; Weekend Brown Line trains rerouted to the Red Line subway
The Chicago Transit Authority 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 and the Polish Constitution Day Parade on Saturday. The CTA also reminds customers 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.
To accommodate those traveling to/from these events this weekend, the CTA will be operating longer trains. Details regarding temporary changes in bus and rail service in the downtown area due to these events 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.
Brown Line trains rerouted to Red Line Subway (all weekend)
Beginning 8 p.m. Friday, May 1 until 4 a.m. Monday, May 4, crews will be performing track renewal work as part of the Ravenswood Connector Rehabilitation project. During this time, all Brown Line trains will be rerouted from the elevated tracks to the Red Line subway and will serve each station between North/Clybourn and Roosevelt in both directions. Brown Line trains will operate normally between Kimball and Fullerton.
On Friday, the last Loop-bound Brown Line train operating on the elevated tracks will depart the Fullerton station at 7:20 p.m., and depart Washington/Wells at 7:35 p.m. for the return trip to Kimball.
The first Brown Line train operating via the subway on Friday will depart Fullerton at 7:29 p.m. to Roosevelt, and the first Kimball-bound train will depart Roosevelt at 7:57 p.m.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Service to/from Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago and Merchandise Mart
For customers who wish to board or exit from the Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago and Merchandise Mart Brown Line stations, free shuttle buses will operate in both directions between Fullerton and Clark/Lake, making stops at or near the affected stations.
Loop Elevated Shuttle Train
For customers in the downtown/Loop area, a shuttle train will operate around the Loop for connections to Brown Line service in the subway and the shuttle buses at Clark/Lake. Customers can board this shuttle train at any Loop elevated station from the Outer Loop platform, which is normally served by Brown Line trains.
This work will require 10 additional temporary, weekend-only reroutes of Brown Line trains to the Red Line subway, which are scheduled through fall 2015. The next weekend reroute of Brown Line trains is tentatively scheduled to begin 8 p.m. Friday, May 8 through 4 a.m. Monday, May 11.
Bus Service
Due to events associated with the 2015 NFL Draft this weekend and the Polish Constitution Day Parade on Saturday, the following 21 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.
D. 15 Bus Routes Detoured Saturday for Polish Constitution Day Parade on Dearborn
On Saturday, May 2 beginning 10 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m., the intersection of State Street and Wacker Drive, plus Dearborn Street between Lake and Van Buren will be closed for the 124th annual Polish Constitution Day Parade. The parade is scheduled to begin at
11:30 a.m. and proceed south on Dearborn to Van Buren.
The following five bus routes will be detoured from Dearborn to Clark Street: #22, #24, #36, #62 and #151.
Also, as a result of these street closures, all east/west bus routes that cross Dearborn between Lake and Van Buren will also be detoured to adjacent streets during this time: #7, #J14, #20, #56, #60, #124 and #126.
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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