Chicago Route 7 Adapts to Downtown Construction

CTA Route 7 buses detour through Loop streets due to Harrison Street construction work

CTA Route 7 Rerouted for Harrison Construction

Chicago's Route 7 Harrison buses are taking a different path through the Loop due to construction on Harrison Street between State Street and Wabash Avenue, transit officials said Tuesday. The temporary reroute affects both eastbound and westbound service on one of the CTA's 129 bus routes. Officials haven't announced when the reroute will end.

Construction Forces Service Adjustment

The CTA classified the reroute as high severity, indicating riders should expect notable changes to usual service patterns. Construction work on the one-block section of Harrison Street prompted the agency to adjust the route, according to the transit system. Details about the construction project, including which agency is managing the work and what improvements are planned, weren't immediately available. The CTA provides 1.5 million rides on an average weekday across its bus and rail network.

Specific Route Changes Detailed

Eastbound Route 7 buses now travel via Harrison Street, State Street, Van Buren Street, and Wabash Avenue before resuming the regular route, according to the CTA service alert published November 5. Westbound buses travel via Wabash Avenue, Congress Parkway, State Street, and Harrison Street to resume regular routing. The detour adds several turns through downtown streets that buses don't typically use. Officials didn't provide estimates for how much additional travel time riders should expect during the temporary reroute.

Timeline Remains Unclear

The reroute took effect November 5, but the CTA hasn't said when service will return to normal routing. Transit agencies typically tie temporary reroutes to construction timelines, but officials didn't release a projected completion date for the Harrison Street work. The agency said riders should check for updates on the duration of the service change.

Riders Advised to Plan Ahead

The CTA recommends passengers allow extra time for trips on Route 7 while the temporary reroute remains in effect. Officials didn't release specific ridership figures for Route 7, so the number of daily riders affected by the change wasn't available. Riders can check Moovit for real-time Route 7 bus locations and updated arrival times during the reroute.