A Reminder for CTA Customers: Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13 and clocks are to be set forward one hour. Customers who use unlimited ride passes are reminded that passes are active for 24-hour periods.
For example, someone who activates a 1-day pass at 8 a.m. Saturday will normally be able to use the pass until 8 a.m. Sunday. But this weekend, due to clocks moving forward one hour on Saturday night the pass would expire at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Blue Line – Other Events Affecting Service
Evening Bridge Inspections to Alter Boarding Locations at Jefferson Park This Weekend
From 9 p.m. Friday, March 11 until 5 a.m. the following morning, all Blue Line trains will be routed to operate on the northbound (to O’Hare) tracks at the Jefferson Park station due to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) conducting inspections of the nearby Metra tunnel.
Blue Line customers at the Jefferson Park station traveling southbound (to Forest Park) must board and exit trains from the northbound (to O’Hare) side of the platform.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time. CTA operators will announce the direction of each train.
Saturday Night
From 9 p.m. Saturday, March 12 until 5 a.m. the following morning, all Blue Line trains will be routed to operate on the southbound (to Forest Park) tracks at the Jefferson Park station as IDOT tunnel inspections continue.
During this time, Blue Line customers at the Jefferson Park station traveling northbound (to O’Hare) must board and exit trains from the southbound (to Forest Park) side of the platform.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time. CTA operators will announce the direction of each train.
Trains to Operate on Same Tracks between UIC-Halsted and LaSalle Early Next Week
All late night Blue Line trains will be routed to operate on the southbound (to Forest Park) tracks between the UIC-Halsted and LaSalle stations from 11 p.m. each night until 4 a.m. the following morning beginning Sunday night, March 13 through Tuesday morning, March 15, due to sewer cleaning.
Blue Line customers at the UIC-Halsted, Clinton and LaSalle stations traveling northbound (to O’Hare) must board and exit trains from the southbound (to Forest Park) side of the platform.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time. CTA operators will announce the direction of each train.
Late Night Trains to Operate on Same Tracks in the Dearborn Subway
Sewer cleaning continues along the Blue Line resulting in all late night trains being routed to operate on the southbound (to Forest Park) tracks between the LaSalle and Grand stations from 11 p.m. each night until 4 a.m. the following morning beginning Tuesday night, March 15 until Friday morning, March 18.
During these times, Blue Line customers at the Jackson, Monroe, Washington and Clark/Lake stations traveling northbound (to O’Hare) must board and exit trains from the southbound (to Forest Park) side of the platform.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time. CTA operators will announce the direction of each train.
Service for Upcoming Events
CTA Service to Events at the United Center
CTA will operate its #19 United Center Express for those attending these upcoming events at the United Center:
- Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m. – Atlanta Hawks versus Bulls
- Saturday, March 12 at 7 p.m. – Utah Jazz versus Bulls
- Sunday, March 13 at 6 p.m. – Blackhawk Cup 2011
- Monday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. – San Jose Sharks versus Blackhawks
- Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. – Washington Wizards versus Bulls
Buses will leave every 12-15 minutes from Michigan and Randolph beginning 90 minutes before the start of each event. After each event, #19 buses will await customers on the north side of the United Center eastbound on Madison near Gate 3 and will depart approximately every 15 minutes for one hour.
Temporary Changes in Routing for #19 Buses
Due to the Wacker Drive construction project, the following changes are in effect along the #19 route:
Eastbound #19 buses will operate over the regular route along Washington to Clinton then will travel via Clinton, Monroe, Franklin to Washington and then resume the regular route. In addition, the following temporary changes have been made to bus stops served by eastbound buses only:
- Clinton/Madison: buses are serving the southbound near side stop.
- Monroe/Canal: buses are serving the eastbound far side stop.
- Washington/Canal: buses are unable to serve the eastbound near side stop.
- Washington/Franklin: the eastbound near side stop has been relocated to a far side stop.
Westbound #19 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route from Michigan/Randolph – making all stops on Madison from Wabash to Clinton before operating express to the United Center.
CTA to Operate Longer Trains for St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Grant Park
The CTA will operate longer trains to accommodate participants heading to the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Grant Park on Saturday March, 12. Beginning at 9 a.m. longer trains will operate along the Blue and Brown lines until approximately 6 p.m. and on the Orange and Green lines until approximately 4:30 p.m.
Seven Routes Detoured on Saturday for St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Grant Park
Columbus Drive between Roosevelt and Monroe, and Congress Plaza will be closed to all traffic for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 12. The parade will step off at noon.
#6 Jackson Park Express
Northbound #6 Jackson Park Express buses will operate over the regular route along Columbus to Roosevelt then will travel via Roosevelt, Michigan, Randolph to Field before turning to begin southbound service.
Southbound #6 buses will travel east on Randolph to State then will operate via State, Balbo, Michigan, Roosevelt to Columbus and then resume the regular route.
#10 Museum of Science & Industry
Northbound #10 Museum of Science & Industry buses will travel over the regular route along Columbus to Roosevelt then will operate via Roosevelt, Michigan, Balbo, State, Lake to Michigan and then resume the regular route north on Michigan.
Southbound #10 buses will travel over the regular route along Michigan past Wacker to Randolph then will operate via Randolph, State, Balbo, Michigan, Roosevelt to Columbus and then resume the regular route south on Columbus.
#14 Jeffery Express
Northbound #14 Jeffery Express buses will operate over the regular route along Columbus to Roosevelt then will travel via Roosevelt to Michigan and then resume the regular route north on Michigan. Southbound #14 buses will travel the reverse route.
#124 Navy Pier
Eastbound #124 Navy Pier buses will operate over the regular route along Wacker to State then will travel via State, Illinois to Columbus and then resume the regular route south on Columbus.
Westbound #124 buses will operate over the regular route along Grand to Fairbanks then will travel via Fairbanks, Ontario to Michigan and then resume the regular south along Michigan.
#126 Jackson
Eastbound #126 Jackson buses will travel over the regular route along Michigan to Harrison then will operate via Harrison to Wabash before turning to begin westbound service.
From Harrison/Wabash, westbound #126 buses will travel via Wabash, Balbo to Michigan and then resume the regular route north along Michigan.
#146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express
Southbound #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express buses will operate over the regular route along Michigan past Wacker to Randolph then will travel via Randolph to State and then resume the regular route south on State. Northbound #146 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
#147 Outer Drive Express
Southbound #147 Outer Drive Express buses will travel over the regular route along Michigan to Harrison then will operate via Harrison to Wabash before turning to begin northbound service.
From Harrison/Wabash, northbound #147 buses will travel via Harrison to State and then resume the regular route north on State.
New/Updated Changes in Bus Service
Temporary Relocation of #4 Cottage Grove Bus Stop at Cottage Grove/71st Street
Currently in effect until approximately 5 p.m. Thursday, April 14, the southbound near side bus stop at Cottage Grove/71st Street served by #4 Cottage Grove buses has been relocated to a far side stop due to emergency sewer repair work.
Sewer Repair Work Temporarily Detours Northbound #30 South Chicago Buses
Currently in effect until approximately 5 p.m. Thursday, April 14, northbound #30 South Chicago buses are being detoured due to the closure of South Chicago Avenue between 71st Street and St. Lawrence for sewer repair work.
Northbound #30 buses are traveling over the regular route along South Chicago to 71st Street then are operating via 71st Street, St. Lawrence to South Chicago and resuming the regular route. Southbound #30 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
Relocation of Downtown Bus Stop Affects Eight Bus Routes
Currently in effect, the southbound mid-block stop on Michigan Avenue between Madison and Monroe has been relocated (approximately 120 feet north) to a far side stop at Michigan/Madison. The stop is served by the following routes: #3 King Drive, #4 Cottage Grove, #26 South Shore Express, #143 Stockton/Michigan Express, #145 Wilson/Michigan Express, #147 Outer Drive Express, #148 Clarendon/Michigan Express and #151 Sheridan.
Saturday Morning Detour of Two Routes Serving the University of Chicago
From 7 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 12, southbound #171 University of Chicago/Hyde Park and #172 University of Chicago/Kenwood buses will be detoured from Ellis between 56th and 57th streets due to a scheduled crane lift.
Southbound #171 buses will travel over the regular route along 55th Street to Cottage Grove then will operate via Cottage Grove, 57th Street to Ellis and then resume the regular route. Northbound #171 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
Southbound #172 buses will operate over the regular route along Ellis to 55th Street then will travel via 55th Street, Cottage Grove, 57th Street to Ellis and then resume the regular route. Northbound #172 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
#68 Northwest Highway Buses Rerouted on Sunday for St. Patrick’s Day Parade
On Sunday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., #68 Northwest Highway buses will be detoured due to the closure of Northwest Highway between Neola and Neva for the annual Northwest Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Southbound #68 buses will travel over the regular route along Northwest Highway to Devon then will operate via Devon, Milwaukee, Nagle to Northwest Highway and then resume the regular route. Northbound #68 buses will travel the reverse route.
Repairs to Bridge Detour #111 Pullman/111th/115th Buses
From 6 a.m. Monday, March 14 until approximately 4 p.m. Friday, September 30, #111 Pullman/111th/115th buses will be detoured from Cottage Grove between 98th Street and 100th Place due to bridge repair work.
Southbound #111 buses will travel over the regular route along 95th Street to King Drive then will operate via King Drive, 103rd Street to Cottage Grove and then resume the regular route. Northbound #111 buses will travel the reverse route.
Water Main Project Temporarily Detours Eastbound #21 Cermak Buses
From 6 a.m. Monday, March 14 until approximately 5 p.m. Monday, May 16, eastbound #21 Cermak buses will be detoured due to the closure of Cermak between Kostner and Kildare for a water main project.
Eastbound #21 buses will operate over the regular route along Cermak to Kostner then will travel via Kostner, Ogden to Cermak and then resume the regular route. Westbound #21 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
Orleans Bridge Lifts Detours Northbound #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick Buses Tuesday Night
From 8 p.m. until midnight Tuesday, March 15, northbound #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick buses will be detoured due to trial bridge lifts for the upcoming boating season.
Northbound #11 buses will travel over the regular route along Franklin to Wacker then will operate via Wacker, LaSalle, Hubbard to Orleans and then resume the regular route. Southbound #11 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
Daytime Reroute for #156 LaSalle Buses Due to Trial Bridge Lifts on Wednesday
The LaSalle Street Bridge over the main branch of the Chicago River will be closed to all traffic from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, due to trial bridge lifts.
Northbound #156 LaSalle buses will travel over the regular route along LaSalle to Wacker then will operate via Wacker, Dearborn, Hubbard to LaSalle and then resume the regular route. Southbound #156 buses will travel over the regular route along LaSalle to Hubbard then will operate via Hubbard, Clark, Wacker to LaSalle and then resume the regular route.
Two Routes Detoured Due to Trial Lifts of the Wabash Street Bridge on Thursday
From 9:30 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17, southbound #120 Ogilvie/Wacker Express and #121 Union/Wacker Express buses will be detoured due to trial lifts of the Wabash Street Bridge over the main branch of the Chicago River.
Southbound #120 and #121 buses will operate over their regular routes along Grand past Wabash to Clark then will travel via Clark to Wacker and then resume their regular routes. Northbound #120 and #121 buses are not affected and will travel over their regular routes.
Four Routes Detoured Thursday Night Due to Monroe Street Bridge Lifts
From 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17 until approximately 2 a.m. the following morning, southbound #14 Jeffery Express, eastbound #20 Madison, southbound #56 Milwaukee and eastbound #60 Blue Island/26th buses will be detoured due to trial lifts of the Monroe Street Bridge over the south branch of the Chicago River.
Southbound #14 and #56 buses will travel over their regular routes along Clinton past Monroe to Jackson then will operate via Jackson, Franklin to Monroe and then resume their regular routes. Northbound #14 and #56 buses are not affected and will travel over their regular routes.
Eastbound #20 buses will operate over the regular route along Clinton past Monroe to Jackson then will travel via Jackson, Franklin to Washington and then resume the regular route. Westbound #20 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
Eastbound #60 buses will travel over the regular route along Canal to Jackson then will operate via Jackson to Franklin and then resume the regular route past Monroe. Westbound #60 buses are not affected and will travel over the regular route.
Ongoing Bus Service Changes
Temporary Change in Boarding Location for #34 South Michigan and #108 Halsted/95th Buses Serving Carver Military High School
Until further notice, #34 South Michigan and #108 Halsted/95th buses are unable to enter the parking lot directly behind Carver Military School. Students are to board and alight #34 and #108 buses from the sidewalk in front of the parking lot located along Doty Road just north of the school’s main entrance.
Construction Work on 83rd Street Detours Three Routes
Currently in effect until approximately 4 p.m. Friday, May 13, #5 South Shore Night Bus, #26 South Shore Express and #71 71st buses are being detoured due to the closure of 83rd Street between Exchange and Bond avenues for construction work.
Southbound #5, #26 and #71 buses are traveling over the regular route along South Shore to 79th Street then operating via 79th Street to Exchange and resuming the regular route past 83rd Street. Northbound #5, #26 and #71 buses are traveling the reverse route.
Lane Restrictions near State and Grand Detour #29 State and #36 Broadway Buses
Due to lane restrictions associated with the Grand/State Red Line rehabilitation project at the northwest corner of State and Grand, #29 State and #36 Broadway buses are being detoured to adjacent streets until further notice.
Southbound #29 buses are operating over the regular route along Grand past State to Clark then traveling via Clark, Illinois to State and resuming the regular route. Northbound #29 buses are traveling along the remaining open lane along State and over the regular route.
Southbound #36 buses are traveling over the regular route along State to Ontario then are operating via Ontario, Clark, Illinois to State and resuming the regular route. Northbound #36 buses are operating over the regular route along Dearborn past Illinois to Ohio then traveling via Ohio to State and resuming the regular route.
Temporary Changes in Service for #21 Cermak and #62 Archer Buses Serving the Cermak-Chinatown Station
Currently in effect, customers at the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line station must use the entrance located on Archer Avenue approximately one block north of Cermak. This entrance is serving as the primary access point for customers while the main entrance to the station on the north side of Cermak is reconstructed and made accessible.
As a result of these changes, and to accommodate customers transferring between bus and rail services, the following changes have been made to buses serving the station:
#21 Cermak
Eastbound #21 Cermak buses are traveling over the regular route along Cermak to Wentworth then are operating via Wentworth, Archer, Clark to Cermak and resuming the regular route. Westbound #21 buses are traveling the reverse route.
- Cermak/Wentworth: the near side stop at Cermak/Wentworth served by eastbound #21 buses has been temporarily removed from service.
- Wentworth/Cermak: temporary stops have been added at Wentworth/Cermak for eastbound and westbound #21 buses. Eastbound customers must board and exit buses from the far side stop; westbound customers must board and exit buses from the near side stop.
- Cermak/Red Line Station: the mid-block stop near the Cermak Road entrance of the Cermak-Chinatown station has been temporarily removed from service.
- Archer/Red Line Station: eastbound #21 buses are serving the temporary mid-block stop near the Archer Avenue entrance of the Cermak-Chinatown station.
- Wentworth/Archer: westbound #21 buses are serving the temporary far side stop at Wentworth/Archer.
#62 Archer
- Archer/Wentworth: the northbound near side stop at Archer/Wentworth served by #62 buses has been removed from service.
- Archer/Red Line Station: northbound #62 buses are serving the mid-block stop near the Archer Avenue entrance of the Cermak-Chinatown station.
Changes in Service along #8 Halsted Route for Bridge Reconstruction Project
Currently in effect until late-December 2011, Halsted Street between Division and the north branch of the Chicago River is closed due to a bridge reconstruction project.
Northbound #8 Halsted buses are traveling over the regular route along Halsted past Chicago to North Branch then are operating via North Branch, Cherry, Division to Halsted and then resuming the regular route. Southbound #8 buses are traveling the reverse route.
Changes to Bus Stops
- Halsted/North Branch: the northbound far side stop has been temporarily relocated to a far side stop on North Branch at Halsted.
- Halsted/Division: the southbound far side stop has been temporarily relocated to a near side stop.
Service Changes for 13 CTA Bus Routes due to Wacker Drive Construction
Until further notice, 13 CTA bus routes that operate on or near Wacker Drive have undergone service changes due to several downtown street closures as part of the Revive Wacker Drive reconstruction project.
These street closures are affecting service on the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick, #19 United Center Express, #20 Madison, #56 Milwaukee, #60 Blue Island/26th, #120 Ogilvie/Wacker Express, #121 Union/Wacker Express, #122 Illinois Center/Ogilvie Express, #123 Illinois Center/Union Express, #124 Navy Pier, #125 Water Tower Express, #129 West Loop/South Loop and the #157 Streeterville/Taylor.
Service Adjustments Due to the Congress/Wacker Construction Project
Due to the Congress/Wacker Construction Project, Franklin Street between Harrison and Van Buren and Lower Wacker Drive between Randolph and Harrison are closed until May 2012. As a result of these closures and other street reconfigurations, the following changes in bus service currently are in effect:
#11 Lincoln/Sedgwick
Northbound #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick buses are traveling over the regular route along Harrison to Canal then are operating via Canal, Jackson to Franklin and resuming the regular route. Southbound #11 buses are not affected and are traveling over the regular route.
The following temporary changes also have been made to bus stops served by northbound #11 buses:
- Canal/Harrison: a far side stop has been added to service.
- Canal/Jackson: a near side stop has been added to service.
- Jackson at the Chicago River: a near side stop has been added to service.
- 404 W. Harrison: the mid-block stop has been removed from service.
- Franklin/Van Buren: the far side stop has been removed from service.
#121 Union/Wacker Express
Northbound #121 Union/Wacker Express buses are operating over the regular route along Jackson past Wacker to Franklin then are traveling via Franklin, Lake, Post Place to Lower Wacker and then resuming the regular route.
Southbound #121 buses are operating over the regular route along Grand to Wabash then traveling via Wabash, Wacker, Franklin to Adams and then resuming the regular route.
#135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express
From Union Station, northbound #135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express buses are traveling south on Wacker to Jackson then are traveling east on Jackson past Franklin and resuming the regular route.
The following temporary changes have been made to bus stops served by northbound #135 buses:
- Jackson/Franklin: a near side stop has been added to service.
- Franklin/Jackson: the near side stop has been removed from service.
#136 Sheridan/LaSalle Express
From Union Station, northbound #136 Sheridan/LaSalle buses are operating south on Wacker to Van Buren then are traveling via Van Buren, Canal to Jackson and resuming the regular route.
The following temporary changes have been made to bus stops served by northbound #136 buses:
- Jackson/Franklin: a near side stop has been added to service.
- Franklin/Jackson: the near side stop has been removed from service.
#156 LaSalle (PM Service Only)
During the evening rush period only, northbound #156 LaSalle buses departing from Union Station are traveling west on Van Buren to Wacker then are operating via Wacker to Jackson and resuming the regular route.
The following temporary bus stop change has been made and is in effect for northbound #156 buses during the evening rush period only:
- Franklin/Jackson: the near side stop has been removed from service.
# # #