Chicago CTA Reroutes Buses Around Canal Work

CTA reroutes Routes 7 and 37 around Canal Street reconstruction work in West Loop

CTA Reroutes Bus Routes 7, 37 for Canal Work

Chicago's CTA rerouted two downtown bus routes Tuesday to accommodate street reconstruction work. Routes 7 Harrison and 37 Sedgwick began operating on modified paths starting January 16 at 9 a.m., transit officials said. The changes affect eastbound and northbound service only, with westbound and southbound buses continuing normal operations.

Construction Project Drives Service Changes

The reroutes stem from the Chicago Department of Transportation's Canal Street Reconstruction Project, which requires temporary street closures in the West Loop area. Transit agencies typically adjust bus routes when infrastructure projects block regular paths or create safety concerns for passengers boarding and alighting. Officials haven't said how long the reconstruction work will last or when buses will return to their normal routes. The CTA listed the end date for the temporary reroute as to be determined.

New Routes Navigate Around Construction Zone

Eastbound Route 7 Harrison buses now travel via Harrison, Jefferson, and Jackson to Canal before resuming normal service on Jackson. Northbound Route 37 Sedgwick buses operate via Van Buren, Clinton, Harrison, Jefferson, and Jackson to Canal, then continue their regular route on Jackson. The agency designated specific boarding locations for affected routes at Jefferson and Harrison, Jefferson and Van Buren, and Jackson and Clinton. Westbound Route 7 and southbound Route 37 buses aren't affected by the changes.

Changes Take Effect During Morning Service

The service modifications began Tuesday morning during off-peak hours, allowing the CTA to implement the changes with minimal disruption to rush-hour commuters. Transit officials said new schedules are in effect for all bus routes systemwide, though they didn't specify whether the reroutes affect travel times for Routes 7 and 37. The agency advised passengers to allow extra travel time during the construction period.

Riders Should Plan for Longer Trips

Passengers using eastbound Route 7 or northbound Route 37 should expect modified stop locations and potentially longer travel times while the reroutes remain in effect. Officials said riders should look for buses at the designated temporary stops rather than regular boarding locations along Canal Street. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated route information for CTA services throughout Chicago.