CTA Reroutes 3 Routes for Bridge Maintenance
Three CTA bus routes detour overnight Thursday for Roosevelt Bridge maintenance work
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CTA Reroutes 3 Bus Routes for Bridge Work
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Three Chicago bus routes will detour around the Roosevelt Bridge overnight Thursday into Friday morning due to maintenance work on the span over the Chicago River. The Chicago Transit Authority said routes 12, 18, and N62 will follow alternate paths from 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 16 through 5 a.m. Friday, April 17. The reroute affects both eastbound and westbound service on all three routes during the roughly five-hour maintenance window.
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The Roosevelt Bridge carries significant bus traffic between Chicago's Near West Side and South Loop, connecting neighborhoods that rely on cross-river transit access. Bridge maintenance typically requires temporary closures to ensure structural safety and prevent longer-term service disruptions. The CTA conducts regular infrastructure inspections and repairs as part of its capital maintenance program. Officials said the overnight timing minimizes impact on weekday commuters, though late-night riders and early-morning workers will need to account for the detours.
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Eastbound buses on routes 12 Roosevelt, 18 16th/18th, and N62 Archer will detour via Roosevelt, Canal, Jackson, and Clark before resuming normal routing on Roosevelt. Westbound buses on the same routes will operate via Roosevelt, Clark, Harrison, Dearborn, Van Buren, and Canal before returning to regular service. The detours add several blocks to the normal route pattern in both directions. Officials advised riders to allow extra travel time during the maintenance period, though they didn't specify how much additional time the detours might add to typical trip durations.
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The maintenance work is scheduled to begin at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, with buses returning to normal routing by 5 a.m. Friday, April 17. The CTA didn't provide details about the specific nature of the bridge maintenance or whether additional work sessions will be required. Transit officials said the work is part of ongoing infrastructure maintenance but didn't indicate whether the Roosevelt Bridge has experienced recent structural issues requiring repair.
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Late-night and early-morning riders should plan for longer travel times and modified stop locations during the detour period. The CTA said most rail lines are operating normally, providing alternative cross-river options for some travelers. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated routing information for CTA services, helping riders navigate temporary detours and plan trips during maintenance periods.
