Chicago Route 124 Reroutes for Canal Street Work

CTA Route 124 detours via Madison, Clinton, and Van Buren for Canal Street construction

CTA Reroutes Route 124 Navy Pier for Canal Work

Chicago's Route 124 Navy Pier bus will follow a temporary detour starting Monday, December 15, affecting riders traveling between downtown and the lakefront. The Chicago Transit Authority announced the reroute to accommodate the Chicago Department of Transportation's Canal Street Reconstruction Project, though officials haven't said when the detour will end. Westbound buses will operate via Madison and Clinton, while eastbound buses will use Clinton, Van Buren, and Jefferson before resuming their normal route on Washington.

Context

The Canal Street Reconstruction Project requires the temporary closure of portions of Canal Street in Chicago's West Loop, forcing transit adjustments for routes that typically serve the corridor. The #124 Navy Pier route connects Union Station with Navy Pier, one of Chicago's most visited tourist destinations, carrying both commuters and visitors through the downtown core. Transit officials said the reroute is necessary to maintain service while construction crews work on the street infrastructure. The project is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade aging roadway infrastructure in the downtown area, according to CDOT.

Details

Westbound buses will end their trips on Clinton between Adams and Quincy, with boarding available at the northwest corner of Clinton and Quincy. Eastbound service will use multiple temporary boarding locations: the northeast corner at Jefferson and Van Buren, the northeast corner at Jefferson and Jackson, the southwest corner at Jefferson and Washington, and the southwest corner at Washington and Canal. After traveling south on Clinton, east on Van Buren, and north on Jefferson, eastbound buses will resume their normal route on Washington. Transit officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time due to the service change.

Timeline

The reroute takes effect Monday, December 15, 2025, but the CTA hasn't announced when service will return to its normal route. Officials said the duration depends on the Canal Street Reconstruction Project timeline, though specific completion dates for the construction work weren't provided. The agency typically announces service restorations several weeks in advance once construction schedules are finalized.

Impact

Riders traveling to Navy Pier and downtown destinations should plan for modified boarding locations and potentially longer travel times during the detour period. Passengers who typically board along Canal Street will need to use the alternate boarding locations on Clinton and Jefferson. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA Route 124, helping riders navigate the temporary route changes and find the nearest boarding locations during the construction period.