CTA Reroutes #49 Western to Maintain Service
CTA #49 Western bus rerouted via 59th, Damen, and 55th due to blockage at 57th Street
CTA #49 Western Rerouted Due to Street Blockage
Chicago's #49 Western bus route is temporarily rerouted in both directions due to a street blockage near Western and 57th Street, transit officials said. The reroute began Friday, April 17, 2026, at 12:26 AM, affecting riders traveling through the area. Officials haven't announced when the blockage will be cleared or when normal service will resume.
Street Blockage Forces Service Modification
The Chicago Transit Authority issued a customer alert for the service change, which affects buses traveling in both directions near Western and 57th Street. The blockage near Western/57th has forced the agency to implement a detour route to maintain service continuity. Officials classified the change as causing minor delays and a reroute. The agency didn't specify the nature of the street blockage or what caused it.
Buses Follow Detour Via 59th and Damen
Buses now travel via Western, 59th, Damen, and 55th before resuming their normal route on Western, according to the transit agency. The detour adds several blocks to the route in both directions. Officials said passengers should allow extra travel time for their trips, though they didn't provide specific estimates for how much additional time riders should expect. The reroute affects all #49 Western buses operating during the service disruption.
No Timeline Announced for Normal Service
The CTA hasn't announced when the street blockage will be cleared or when buses will return to their regular route. Officials said the reroute will remain in effect until the blockage near Western/57th is resolved. The agency typically provides updates through customer alerts as conditions change, though a specific timeline for additional information wasn't provided.
Riders Advised to Plan for Delays
Passengers using the #49 Western route should expect minor delays and plan accordingly, transit officials said. The detour affects access to stops along the blocked section of Western near 57th Street. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on #49 Western bus locations and adjusted arrival times during the reroute.
