Chicago Route 73 Reroutes for Bridge Work

CTA Route 73 Armitage bus detours around Cortland Bridge for two years starting Sept 22

CTA Route 73 Reroutes for Bridge Work

Chicago's Route 73 Armitage bus will detour around the Cortland Bridge over the Chicago River for more than two years starting this fall, the Chicago Transit Authority said. The reroute takes effect Monday, September 22, 2025 and continues through Thursday, September 30, 2027 to accommodate bridge construction work. Riders should allow extra travel time during the detour period.

Extended Construction Timeline

The two-year-plus timeline reflects the complexity of bridge rehabilitation projects over major waterways, transit officials said. The Cortland Bridge serves as a key crossing point over the Chicago River, connecting neighborhoods on the north side. Bridge construction projects typically require extended closures to ensure structural integrity and worker safety. The CTA didn't provide specific details about the scope of construction work or cost estimates for the bridge project.

Detour Routes for Both Directions

Eastbound Route 73 buses will operate via Cortland, Elston, North Avenue, Kingsbury, Clifton, and Clybourn before resuming the normal route on Racine. Westbound buses will travel via Racine, Clybourn, Sheffield, North Avenue, and Elston before returning to the regular route on Cortland. The detours add several turns and additional distance compared to the direct route across the Cortland Bridge. Officials haven't said how much additional travel time riders should expect on affected trips.

Implementation Begins Late September

The service change begins September 22, 2025, with the reroute remaining in place until September 30, 2027. The CTA typically posts signage at affected stops and updates printed schedules before major route changes take effect. Officials didn't specify whether temporary stops will be added along detour streets or if riders will need to walk to existing stops on the alternate route.

Planning Around the Detour

Riders who regularly use Route 73 Armitage near the Cortland Bridge should plan for longer trips and different stop locations during the construction period. The extended timeline means commuters and regular riders will need to adjust their routines for more than two years. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated route information for CTA services, helping riders navigate detours and plan trips with current schedules.