CTA N66 Reroutes for Bridge Maintenance Work
CTA N66 owl bus reroutes overnight April 23-24 for Michigan Avenue Bridge maintenance
CTA N66 Bus Reroutes for Bridge Work April 23-24
Chicago's N66 owl bus will take a detour overnight Thursday as crews work on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, the Chicago Transit Authority said. The late-night route will run via Chicago, Fairbanks, Columbus, Randolph, and Michigan from 10 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026, to 5 a.m. Friday, April 24. Officials advised riders to allow extra travel time during the seven-hour reroute.
Bridge Maintenance Requires Temporary Detour
The reroute's necessary due to maintenance work on the Michigan Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River, transit officials said. The bridge serves as a critical connection between Chicago's North and South sides and carries thousands of vehicles and pedestrians daily. CTA regularly coordinates with the city's Department of Transportation to minimize service disruptions during infrastructure projects. Officials didn't specify what type of maintenance work will be performed on the bridge during the overnight closure.
Alternate Route Details for Overnight Riders
The N66 owl service operates during late-night hours when rail service is limited, providing a vital connection for overnight workers and travelers. During the reroute, buses will travel via Chicago Avenue, Fairbanks Court, Columbus Drive, Randolph Street, and Michigan Avenue instead of the regular route. The detour adds several blocks to the journey in both directions. Officials said the modified route will serve most of the same general areas, though some stops along the regular path won't be accessible during the maintenance window.
Single-Night Service Change
The service modification will last just seven hours, from 10 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday, transit officials confirmed. Normal N66 service will resume Friday morning after the bridge work's completed. The CTA typically schedules bridge-related maintenance during overnight hours to reduce impact on daytime commuters and businesses. Officials said they'll monitor the reroute to ensure minimal delays for overnight riders.
How Riders Can Track Service Changes
Passengers using the N66 route Thursday night should plan for slightly longer travel times and check for any additional updates before heading out, officials said. The CTA posts service alerts through multiple channels including social media and customer notifications. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternative route suggestions for Chicago transit riders affected by service changes. Officials said riders can also check with bus operators for specific stop information during the reroute period.
