Chicago Route 85 Reroutes — Riders Adapt Near West Side

CTA temporarily reroutes Route 85 Central around Central and Fulton intersection

CTA Reroutes Route 85 at Central and Fulton

Chicago's Route 85 Central is temporarily rerouting around the Central and Fulton intersection, transit officials said. The change affects riders traveling through the Near West Side, though the CTA hasn't specified which stops are temporarily closed or relocated. The agency classified the disruption as high severity when it announced the change November 27.

Route Connects West Side to Downtown

Route 85 Central runs between the Austin Blue Line station and Navy Pier, serving the Near West Side and downtown Chicago. The route is one of 129 bus lines operated by the CTA, which provides approximately 1.6 million rides on an average weekday. Transit agencies commonly implement temporary reroutes due to street construction, special events, or infrastructure issues, according to industry practice. Officials didn't disclose the specific reason for this reroute.

Details About Detour Remain Limited

The CTA hasn't released specific information about which streets buses are using during the detour. Officials also didn't say which bus stops near Central and Fulton are affected or whether temporary stop locations have been established. The agency advises passengers that stops near the intersection may be impacted. Specific detour routing has not been detailed in public communications, which is typical for temporary operational adjustments.

Duration of Change Unclear

The CTA hasn't announced when normal service will resume on Route 85 Central. Officials didn't provide an estimated timeline for the temporary reroute. The agency typically updates its alert system as situations develop, but additional details weren't available by publication time.

Riders Advised to Plan Extra Time

Passengers using Route 85 Central near the Central and Fulton area should allow extra travel time and watch for changes to their usual boarding locations. The CTA's alert system provides updates on service disruptions as they develop. Moovit offers real-time bus tracking and service alerts for CTA routes throughout Chicago.