Chicago CTA Reroutes Buses for Bridge Maintenance
CTA routes 12, 18, and N62 will detour around Roosevelt Bridge overnight April 16-17
CTA Reroutes 3 Bus Routes for Bridge Work
Three Chicago bus routes will detour around the Roosevelt Bridge overnight Thursday as crews perform maintenance work on the span over the Chicago River. The Chicago Transit Authority said routes 12, 18, and N62 will follow alternate paths from 11:59 p.m. April 16 through 5 a.m. April 17, 2026. Riders should expect longer travel times during the overnight work window.
Bridge Maintenance Requires Overnight Closure
The Roosevelt Bridge serves as a key crossing point for multiple bus routes connecting Chicago's South Side to downtown and the Near West Side. Transit agencies typically schedule bridge maintenance during overnight hours to minimize disruption to commuters, though the work still affects night owl service and early morning riders. The CTA didn't specify what type of maintenance work crews will perform on the bridge. Infrastructure maintenance on movable bridges over the Chicago River is conducted regularly to ensure safe operation of both vehicle and vessel traffic.
Buses Will Follow Detour Routes
Eastbound buses on routes 12 Roosevelt, 18 16th/18th, and N62 Archer will detour via Roosevelt, Canal, Jackson, and Clark before resuming normal routing on Roosevelt, according to the transit agency. Westbound buses on the same routes will operate via Roosevelt, Clark, Harrison, Dearborn, Van Buren, and Canal before returning to regular service. The detours add several blocks to the normal route path through downtown Chicago. Officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time during the maintenance period.
Work Scheduled for Single Overnight Period
The reroute will last approximately five hours during the overnight period between Thursday and Friday. All three affected routes are scheduled to return to normal service by 5 a.m. Friday, April 17. The CTA didn't say whether additional maintenance work on the Roosevelt Bridge is planned for future dates.
Riders Can Track Detours in Real Time
The overnight reroute affects riders traveling through downtown Chicago during late-night and early-morning hours. Route 12 connects Roosevelt Road from Michigan Avenue to Kedzie Avenue, while route 18 serves the 16th and 18th Street corridors. The N62 provides overnight service along the Archer Avenue corridor. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated route information for CTA services, helping riders navigate temporary detours and service changes throughout the Chicago transit system.
