CTA Adjusts Ashland Buses for Overnight Work
CTA reroutes northbound #9, #X9 buses overnight April 20-21 for Ashland construction
CTA Reroutes #9, #X9 Buses for Ashland Work
Chicago's #9 Ashland and #X9 Ashland Express buses will take a temporary detour overnight Monday into Tuesday, the Chicago Transit Authority said. Northbound buses will operate via Ashland, Harrison, Damen, and Jackson before resuming their normal route on Ashland, while southbound service won't be affected. The reroute runs from 11:30 PM Monday, April 20, 2026 through 5:00 AM Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Construction Prompts Service Change
The temporary reroute is necessary due to construction work on Ashland between Congress and Van Buren, transit officials said. The CTA regularly adjusts bus routes to accommodate infrastructure projects and street work throughout the city. Passengers are advised to allow extra travel time during the overnight period when the detour is in effect. The agency didn't specify what type of construction work is taking place or whether additional overnight detours will be needed after this initial reroute period.
Limited Impact on Route Operations
The detour affects only northbound buses on the two Ashland routes during the six-and-a-half-hour window. Buses will travel via Harrison and Damen before returning to Jackson and resuming the standard Ashland routing. Southbound #9 and #X9 buses will maintain their regular paths throughout the construction period. The CTA didn't provide details on how many trips typically operate during the overnight timeframe or whether any stops will be temporarily relocated during the detour.
Overnight Timeline for Detour
The service change takes effect at 11:30 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026 and continues until 5:00 AM the following morning. The timing suggests the construction work requires overnight lane closures or street access on Ashland Avenue. Transit officials said riders should plan for the modified routing during those hours, though the agency didn't indicate whether similar detours might be needed on subsequent nights.
Riders Can Track Detour in Real Time
Passengers traveling on the #9 or #X9 routes during the overnight detour period should allow additional time for the modified routing. The CTA operates multiple bus routes along the Ashland corridor, one of Chicago's busiest north-south transit streets. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and service alerts for CTA routes, helping riders navigate temporary detours and plan trips during construction-related service changes.
