CTA Red Line Rerouted After Roosevelt Fire

Red Line trains rerouted to elevated tracks due to fire activity at Roosevelt station

CTA Red Line Rerouted After Roosevelt Fire

Chicago's Red Line subway trains are running on elevated tracks between Fullerton and Cermak-Chinatown due to fire department activity at Roosevelt station, the Chicago Transit Authority said. The disruption began Wednesday, April 15, at 11:23 PM, with no estimated time for normal service to resume. Riders should expect delays and allow extra travel time as crews work to resolve the situation.

Background

The reroute affects one of Chicago's busiest transit corridors, forcing subway trains onto elevated tracks through the Loop and Near North Side. The CTA typically operates Red Line trains through the State Street subway between these stations, serving thousands of daily commuters. Officials said the fire department activity at Roosevelt required the immediate service change. The agency hasn't provided details about what caused the fire department response or how long the activity is expected to continue.

Route Details

Southbound trains heading to 95th/Dan Ryan now stop at elevated stations including Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago, Merchandise Mart, Clark/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, and the elevated Roosevelt platform before continuing to Cermak-Chinatown. Northbound trains reverse the pattern after Cermak-Chinatown, using the same elevated stations before resuming normal subway service from Fullerton to Howard. The CTA is operating shuttle buses between Fullerton and State/Lake to provide connecting service in both directions. Officials said riders can also use local bus routes in affected areas as alternatives.

Timeline

The disruption started late Wednesday night and continued into Thursday, April 16. Officials haven't announced when they expect to restore normal Red Line subway service through Roosevelt station. The CTA said it's working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Green Line and Orange Line trains, which also serve Roosevelt station, have resumed normal operations.

Rider Impact

Passengers traveling through downtown Chicago should expect longer trip times and crowded conditions on elevated platforms not typically used by Red Line trains. The reroute adds several minutes to trips between the North Side and South Side. Riders can check Moovit for real-time Red Line updates and alternative route options during the disruption.