Chicago Route 78 Reroutes — Riders Adapt to Change
CTA Route 78 temporarily reroutes at Montrose-Ravenswood with no timeline provided
CTA Route 78 Reroutes at Montrose-Ravenswood
Chicago's Route 78 bus is temporarily rerouting around the Montrose and Ravenswood intersection, transit officials said Thursday. The Chicago Transit Authority announced the service change January 9, affecting riders who use the east-west Montrose corridor. Officials didn't specify which stops are affected or how long the reroute will last.
Route 78 runs along Montrose Avenue from Chicago's lakefront to the western city limits, serving as a major east-west connection for North Side neighborhoods. The temporary reroute at Montrose and Ravenswood affects service in the Ravenswood and Lincoln Square areas. Transit agencies typically implement temporary reroutes due to construction, street closures, or infrastructure work, though the CTA hasn't disclosed the specific reason for this change. Officials said riders should expect potential delays and changes to their usual boarding locations.
The CTA's alert system designated the reroute as requiring rider attention, though officials didn't provide details about the extent of the detour or alternative routing. Specific information about which stops remain accessible and which are temporarily closed wasn't available by publication time. The agency said riders should consult the alert page for updates, but detailed reroute maps weren't posted as of Thursday afternoon. Dorval R. Carter Jr., president of the Chicago Transit Authority, oversees system operations but hasn't issued a public statement about the Route 78 disruption.
The CTA announced the reroute Thursday but didn't provide an expected end date or timeline for when normal service will resume. Officials said the temporary nature of the change suggests it's related to a short-term issue rather than permanent route modifications. The agency typically updates service alerts as situations develop, but specific details about the duration weren't immediately available. Transit officials said riders should check the CTA's alert system regularly for updates on when Route 78 will return to its normal path.
Riders who regularly use Route 78 near the Montrose and Ravenswood intersection should allow extra travel time and verify their stop locations before heading out. The CTA recommends checking the alert page for the most current information about affected stops and alternative boarding locations. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA routes, helping riders navigate temporary service changes and find alternative connections when routes are disrupted.
