The Chicago Transit Authority is a convenient and affordable transit option for those traveling to events throughout Chicago this weekend. Additional service will be provided to accommodate customers heading to Farm Aid at Northerly Island, the Bears game at Soldier Field and next week’s Blackhawks events at the United Center.
Work associated with the CTA’s Ravenswood Connector Rehabilitation Project also resumes this weekend, making it necessary to temporarily reroute Brown Line trains to the Red Line subway between Armitage and the Loop, beginning 8 p.m. Friday, September 18 until 4 a.m. Monday, September 21.
The CTA strongly recommends that customers traveling to and from events around Chicago this weekend purchase fares in advance to decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail station vending machines. Customers can load ahead of time transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) to their Ventra farecards at rail stations, online or at nearly 1,300 local retailers (locations available at ventrachicago.com). Other ways to pay fares including purchase from CTA vending machines 1-day unlimited ride tickets ($10) or single-ride tickets ($3) that include up to two transfers in two hours. Customers can also pay their fares with their personal contactless debit or credit cards.
Farm Aid
The CTA will provide extra bus service on the #130 Museum Campus and #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express routes for those attending Farm Aid on Saturday, September 19 at Northerly Island. Extra service will begin at approximately 9 p.m. and conclude approximately one hour after the event ends.
Bears Game
The Chicago Bears will host the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field this Sunday at noon. The CTA will operate the #128 Soldier Field Express between Union Station, Ogilvie and Soldier Field, and will provide additional #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express service for customers heading to the game. Additional service will begin at approximately 9 a.m. and continue until one hour after the game ends. For more information on getting to the game on the CTA, please visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/popdest/sports.aspx.
United Center Events
CTA will operate its #19 United Center Express for those attending the following events at the United Center next week:
- Monday, September 21 at 5 p.m. – Blackhawks Training Camp Festival
- Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. – Blackhawks vs. Red Wings
Bus Service:
Extra service from #19 Express buses will leave from Michigan and Randolph beginning approximately 2 hours before the start of each event. After each event, #19 Express buses will await customers on the north side of the United Center eastbound on Madison near Gate 3. Extra #19 Express bus service will conclude approximately one hour after each event.
Rail Service:
CTA’s Ashland/Lake station served by Green and Pink lines is just a few blocks northeast of the United Center. Customers exiting at the station can transfer to #9 Ashland buses or simply walk a few blocks to the stadium. Customers taking the Blue Line can get to the United Center by exiting at the Illinois Medical District station and walking a few blocks north to the United Center.
Ravenswood Connector Track Work
Work on the Ravenswood Connector Rehabilitation Project continues this weekend. 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.
Brown Line trains will operate normally between Kimball and Fullerton. 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 this weekend, free shuttle buses will operate in both directions between Fullerton and Clark/Lake, making stops at or near the affected stations. For more information on weekend shuttle service, please visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/alert_detail.aspx?AlertId=29863.
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 free 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.
The Ravenswood Loop Connector work will require one additional temporary, weekend-only reroute of Brown Line trains to the Red Line subway. Weather permitting, the final weekend reroute of Brown Line trains will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, September 25 until 4 a.m. Monday, September 28.
Stay in the Loop on CTA service
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
# # #