Chicago CTA Routes 88, 90 Resume Normal Service

CTA routes 88 and 90 return to regular routing after Harlem Blue Line bus bridge work

2026-04-19, Moovit News Team

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CTA Routes 88, 90 Resume Normal Service March 23

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Chicago bus riders on the Northwest Side will see service return to normal next week after months of construction-related detours. The Chicago Transit Authority confirmed that routes 88 Higgins and 90 Harlem will resume regular routing Monday, March 23, at 6:00 AM, following completion of work on the Harlem Blue Line station's bus bridge over the Kennedy Expressway. The changes affect boarding locations at the Harlem Blue Line station for both routes.
CTA bus route 88 Higgins approaching Harlem Blue Line station with bus bridge visible in background. Alt text: Chicago CTA bus route 88 at Harlem Blue Line station bus bridge. Composition: Front three-quarter view showing bus number and destination sign clearly, with renovated bus bridge structure in frame.

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The routing restoration follows construction work on the bus bridge that spans the Kennedy Expressway at the Harlem Blue Line station, a key transfer point for Northwest Side riders connecting between bus and rail service. Transit officials said the project required temporary detours and alternate boarding locations to maintain safety during construction. The Harlem station serves as a major hub where multiple bus routes intersect with Blue Line rail service. Officials didn't provide details about the construction timeline or project cost.

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Westbound route 88 buses heading to Devon and Canfield will board at the north bus bay on the station's bus bridge rather than at the northeast corner of Harlem and Bryn Mawr. Eastbound route 88 buses traveling to Jefferson Park Blue Line station will use the southbound bus stop outside the station's east entrance. Route 90 buses will begin and end trips at the center bus bay on the bus bridge instead of detouring via Talcott and Sayre. Transit officials said the new boarding locations are designed to improve passenger flow and connections between bus and rail service.
Harlem Blue Line station bus bridge showing multiple bus bays with clear signage and boarding areas. Alt text: CTA Harlem Blue Line station bus bridge with designated bus bays for routes 88 and 90. Composition: Wide angle showing bus bridge structure with north and center bus bays visible, emphasizing organized boarding areas and wayfinding signage.

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The service changes take effect at the start of service Monday, March 23, at 6:00 AM, according to the transit agency. Officials said riders should allow extra time during the first few days as they adjust to the new boarding locations. The agency typically posts signage at affected stops before major routing changes, though officials didn't specify what advance notification measures they're taking for this restoration.

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Riders on routes 88 and 90 should check for updated boarding locations when service resumes Monday morning. The CTA system status shows most rail lines operating with normal service, though the Brown Line has planned work with station bypasses and several elevator outages are affecting stations across multiple lines. Moovit provides real-time updates and boarding location information for CTA routes throughout Chicago.