Chicago's #9 Ashland Bus Adapts to South Side Detour
CTA reroutes #9 Ashland bus near 66th Street due to unspecified street blockage
CTA Reroutes #9 Ashland Bus Near 66th Street
Chicago's #9 Ashland bus is running on a detour near 66th Street due to a street blockage, transit officials said. The route change affects service between 63rd and 67th streets on the South Side, though officials haven't specified what's causing the blockage. The Chicago Transit Authority announced the high-severity alert October 19.
Detour Details
The temporary reroute requires buses to travel south on Ashland, turn east onto 67th Street, head north on Racine Avenue, then west on 63rd Street before resuming normal service on Ashland. The detour adds several blocks to the route's path through the Englewood neighborhood. Route #9 Ashland is one of CTA's longest bus lines, stretching 16.1 miles through the city's West and South sides. Officials didn't say how long the detour will remain in effect.
Service Impact
The CTA classified the alert as high severity, indicating significant impact to riders. Transit officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time when using the route but didn't provide specific delay estimates. The agency hasn't released information about how many riders are affected by the change. Street blockages requiring bus detours can result from construction, accidents, infrastructure issues, or special events, though the CTA hasn't specified the cause in this case.
Timeline
The detour took effect October 19, according to the transit agency's alert system. Officials haven't announced when service will return to normal routing on Ashland between 63rd and 67th streets. The CTA typically maintains temporary detours until street conditions allow buses to safely resume regular routes.
Rider Information
Passengers using the #9 Ashland line near 66th Street should expect the detour to remain in place for an indefinite period. The CTA said riders should plan for potential delays and allow additional travel time. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA routes, including active detours and service changes.
