CTA Adjusts Lake Shore Route Stops April 16

CTA eliminates Stratford stop on routes 135, 146, 151 starting April 16, 2026

CTA Cuts Stratford Stop on 3 Lake Shore Routes

Chicago Transit Authority riders on three Lake Shore Drive bus routes will lose access to the Stratford stop starting April 16, transit officials said. The CTA's eliminating both northbound and southbound stops at Inner Lake Shore Drive/Stratford for routes 135, 146, and 151. Passengers'll need to use nearby alternative stops instead, with officials advising riders to allow extra time for the adjustment.

Alternative Stops Designated for Affected Riders

The stop elimination affects the #135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express, #146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express, and #151 Sheridan routes along the Inner Lake Shore Drive corridor. Southbound riders should use Inner Lake Shore Drive/Cornelia or Inner Lake Shore Drive/Roscoe as alternatives, according to the transit agency. Northbound passengers can board at Inner Lake Shore Drive/Cornelia or Inner Lake Shore Drive/Hawthorne instead. The CTA classified this modification as a Bus Stop Note, indicating it's a permanent or long-term change to stop locations.

No End Date Set for Stop Closure

The Stratford stop elimination takes effect Thursday, April 16, 2026, but the CTA hasn't announced when or whether the stops might return. Officials listed the end date as TBD, suggesting the change could be indefinite. Transit agencies typically eliminate stops to improve travel times, address safety concerns, or consolidate service at higher-ridership locations. The CTA didn't specify ridership numbers for the Stratford stop or explain the reasoning behind the elimination.

Change Begins Mid-April 2026

The stop modifications begin April 16, giving riders about two weeks' notice from the announcement date. Officials advised passengers to plan trips accordingly and allow extra time to reach the alternative stops. The CTA didn't say whether it'll add signage at the eliminated stops directing riders to nearby alternatives or how long the walk between stops typically takes.

Riders Should Plan for Longer Walks

Passengers who regularly used the Stratford stop'll need to walk additional blocks to reach Cornelia, Roscoe, or Hawthorne stops depending on their direction of travel. The change affects three express and local routes serving Chicago's lakefront neighborhoods. Moovit provides real-time CTA bus locations and alternative route suggestions for riders adjusting to the stop elimination.