Chicago Route 60 Reroutes for Canal Street Work

CTA Route 60 buses detour via Harrison and Jefferson for year-long Canal Street project

CTA Reroutes Route 60 Buses for Canal Project

Chicago's Route 60 Blue Island/26th bus will detour around a major street reconstruction project for about a year, transit officials said. Eastbound buses will reroute via Harrison and Jefferson streets before resuming their normal path on Washington, while westbound service won't change. The Chicago Department of Transportation's Canal Street Reconstruction Project requires the adjustment, and riders should expect longer travel times.

Infrastructure Work Drives Service Change

The Canal Street reconstruction represents one of several infrastructure projects affecting Chicago transit service this year. CDOT's work requires temporary street closures that make the route's normal path impassable for buses. Transit agencies typically coordinate with municipal departments on construction projects that affect service, though officials didn't specify the exact scope of the Canal Street work. The year-long timeline suggests substantial infrastructure improvements are planned for the corridor.

New Stops Designated Along Detour Route

CTA has established temporary boarding locations for eastbound Route 60 passengers at five intersections along the detour: Jefferson at Harrison, Van Buren, Jackson, and Washington, plus Washington at Canal. Officials didn't say whether new signage or shelters will be installed at these temporary stops. The designated locations aim to maintain service access for riders along the affected corridor, though walking distances to stops may change for some passengers. Westbound riders will continue using regular stops without interruption.

Year-Long Detour Begins This Week

The service change takes effect immediately and will remain in place for approximately one year, according to CTA. Officials didn't provide a specific end date for when Route 60 will return to its normal path. The timeline depends on CDOT's construction schedule, which can shift based on weather, contractor progress, and unforeseen complications. Transit officials said they'll announce the return to regular routing once the Canal Street project nears completion.

Riders Advised to Plan Extra Time

Passengers should allow additional travel time while the detour remains active, CTA said. The reroute adds several turns and stops compared to the direct route, potentially extending trip times by several minutes depending on traffic conditions. Route 60 is one of multiple CTA bus routes currently operating under service alerts, officials noted. Moovit provides real-time arrival information and route guidance for CTA buses, helping riders navigate temporary service changes and plan trips accordingly.