The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will provide additional service for spectators heading to the annual Air & Water Show on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19. The event will take place along the lakefront from Oak Street Beach to Fullerton with the air and water performances combined into one show beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m. on both days. The best viewing location will be at North Avenue Beach.
RAIL SERVICE
Spectators who wish to avoid street traffic altogether can reach the Air & Water Show on Red Line trains from subway stations at Chicago/State or Clark/Division, which are within walking distance of Oak Street Beach.
Customers who take the Pink, Orange and Green lines can ride downtown and transfer to the Red Line at State/Lake. Customers also can transfer from the Red Line at North/Clybourn, the Blue Line at Damen or the Brown Line at Sedgwick to connect to #72 North Avenue buses that will supplement regular service along North Avenue from California to Clark.
To accommodate the increased number of customers traveling to and from the Air & Water Show, the CTA also will increase capacity of service along the following rail lines on both Saturday and Sunday during the indicated times:
- Blue Line: longer trains will operate from approximately 8 a.m. until approximately 11:45 p.m.
- Brown Line: longer trains will operate from approximately 7:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- Red Line: longer trains will operate as part of regular weekend service.
- Orange Line: longer trains will operate from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
CTA customer assistants will be on hand at all downtown rail stations to assist customers with fare and travel information.
BUS SERVICE
Additional Bus Service: #72 North Avenue and #151 Sheridan
On both days, supplemental bus service will be provided on the #72 North Avenue and #151 Sheridan routes, which operate close to all the activities. In an effort to avoid traffic congestion near the North Avenue Beach area, #72 buses only will travel as far east as North Avenue and Clark.
Bus Service within Walking Distance of Beach
Buses on the #145 Wilson/Michigan Express, #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express and #147 Outer Drive Express routes operate to Michigan and Delaware and are within walking distance of Oak Street Beach.
Customers also can take the #22 Clark or #36 Broadway routes to North and Clark, which is within walking distance of North Avenue Beach.
To Oak Street Beach from Union Station or Millennium Park
Customers disembarking at Metra’s Union Station or Millennium Park Station can board #151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. The #151 buses also are within walking distance of the Ogilvie Transportation Center and the LaSalle Street Metra station.
Sunday Only: 5 Routes Detoured From Inner Lake Shore Drive
Due to anticipated heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, buses operating along the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick, #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, #73 Armitage and #151 Sheridan bus routes will be detoured.
As a general rule, buses that operate north and south on Clark will travel on LaSalle between Division and LaSalle. The #151 Sheridan will reroute from Inner Lake Shore Drive to LaSalle between North Avenue and Division. The #11 and the #73 will end trips at Clark/Wilson.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time.
CTA TRAVEL INFORMATION
CTA Info On-the-Go
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Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts.
Park & Ride Facilities
To avoid traffic congestion, customers can combine the convenience of driving with the economical savings of public transit by using CTA Park & Ride facilities. Parking is available for approximately 6,000 cars at CTA’s 17 Park & Ride facilities, mainly at rail terminals, throughout the CTA system.
Fare Information
Bus customers who use CTA fare media pay $2.00 to ride. For rail customers or customers who pay cash on the bus, the fare is $2.25. Customers who use CTA fare media may transfer for a 25 cent fee. Transfers are not available for customers paying fares in cash.
Questions?
For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at
transitchicago.com.
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