Chicago Route 124 Adjusts for Canal Street Work
CTA Route 124 detours around Canal Street construction, altering Navy Pier access
CTA Route 124 Reroutes Around Canal Work
Chicago's Route 124 Navy Pier bus is taking a detour around downtown construction, affecting how riders reach the popular lakefront destination. The Chicago Transit Authority rerouted the line Monday, December 15, to avoid the Canal Street Reconstruction Project, though officials haven't said when normal service will resume. Westbound trips now end on Clinton between Adams and Quincy, while eastbound buses take a longer path through the West Loop before rejoining their regular route.
Context & Background
The service change stems from the Chicago Department of Transportation's Canal Street Reconstruction Project, which requires closing portions of the roadway to through traffic. Transit officials said the reroute ensures buses can maintain service while construction crews work on the corridor. The Route 124 typically serves Navy Pier, one of Chicago's most visited attractions, connecting it to downtown transit hubs and residential neighborhoods. Officials didn't provide details about the project's scope or expected completion timeline.
Key Details
Westbound buses now operate via Madison and Clinton instead of their normal route, ending trips on Clinton between Adams and Quincy. Eastbound service follows Clinton, Van Buren, and Jefferson before resuming the regular route on Washington. The detour adds several blocks to the eastbound journey through the West Loop. Transit officials said riders should allow extra travel time but didn't specify how much additional time the reroute adds to typical trips.
Timeline & Implementation
The reroute took effect Monday, December 15, with no announced end date. Officials said the change will remain in place for the duration of the Canal Street construction work, but the agency hasn't released a timeline for when that project will be completed. The CTA typically provides advance notice of service changes, though officials didn't say how much notice riders received before this reroute began.
Rider Impact & Moovit
Passengers need to use different boarding locations during the reroute. Westbound riders should board at the northwest corner of Clinton and Quincy. Eastbound passengers can board at four locations: the northeast corners of Jefferson and Van Buren and Jefferson and Jackson, or the southwest corners of Jefferson and Washington and Washington and Canal. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA routes, helping riders navigate service changes and find the nearest boarding locations for affected buses.
