Chicago Route 8 Detours for 13-Month Project

Route 8 Halsted buses detour via Division, Elston, Milwaukee through Dec 2026

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CTA Route 8 Halsted Reroutes for 13 Months

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Chicago's Route 8 Halsted bus will follow a detour route for more than a year starting Friday, November 7, 2025, the Chicago Transit Authority announced. Buses will operate via Halsted, Division, Elston, Milwaukee, and back to Halsted through December 25, 2026. The extended reroute affects one of the city's busiest north-south corridors, with officials advising riders to allow extra travel time.

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The 13-month detour is necessary due to Chicago Department of Transportation construction work at the Chicago/Halsted intersection, transit officials said. Route 8 Halsted serves as a critical link connecting neighborhoods from the Far South Side to Rogers Park, carrying thousands of daily riders through some of Chicago's most densely populated areas. The extended timeline suggests major infrastructure work at the intersection, though CDOT hasn't released specific details about the construction project's scope or objectives.

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Buses will travel northbound and southbound via the same detour path: Halsted to Division, then east on Division to Elston, continuing on Elston to Milwaukee, and returning to Halsted via Milwaukee. The reroute bypasses the regular route through the Chicago/Halsted intersection where construction will take place. Officials didn't specify which stops will be temporarily closed or relocated during the detour period. The CTA typically posts temporary stop signs along detour routes, but the agency hasn't said whether additional stops will be added to minimize walking distances for affected riders.

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The reroute takes effect Friday, November 7, 2025, and continues through Friday, December 25, 2026. The 13-month duration is longer than typical CTA detours, which usually last weeks or a few months. Officials haven't said whether the timeline could be shortened if construction finishes early or whether riders should expect the full year-plus detour.

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Riders should plan for longer trip times and possible crowding at detour stops during the extended construction period. The CTA said passengers can expect normal service on most rail lines, though the Brown Line has planned work with some stations being bypassed. Moovit provides real-time updates for Route 8 and all CTA services, helping riders navigate detours and plan alternative routes during construction.