CTA Reroutes Bus for Two-Year Bridge Work
CTA #125 bus reroutes through Jefferson, Washington, Franklin streets for 25 months
CTA Reroutes #125 Bus for Bridge Work
Chicago's #125 Water Tower Express will take a detour through downtown for more than two years while crews work on a key bridge over the Chicago River, transit officials said. Northbound buses will use Jefferson, Washington, and Franklin streets before returning to their regular route on Orleans starting October 6, 2025. The reroute affects only northbound service, with southbound buses continuing on their normal path.
Bridge Maintenance Drives Long-Term Detour
The service change stems from maintenance work on the Lake Street bridge over the Chicago River, according to the transit agency. The bridge carries vehicle and pedestrian traffic across one of the city's busiest waterway crossings and requires periodic maintenance to ensure structural integrity. Officials said the extended timeline through November 26, 2027, reflects the complexity of bridge rehabilitation work in an active downtown corridor. The CTA didn't provide specific details about the scope of bridge repairs or whether the work will affect other routes crossing the river in the same area.
Downtown Streets Become Temporary Route
Northbound #125 buses will divert from their usual path and travel via Jefferson Street, then turn onto Washington Street before heading north on Franklin Street, officials said. The buses will rejoin their standard route on Orleans Street after the Franklin Street portion of the detour. The reroute begins at 9:00 AM on Monday, October 6, 2025, and will remain in place for approximately 25 months. Officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time during the detour period, though they didn't specify how much additional time riders should expect for trips.
Two-Year Timeline Set for Service Change
The temporary routing will stay in effect through Friday, November 26, 2027, the CTA confirmed. The agency typically coordinates long-term detours with city infrastructure projects to minimize disruption while allowing necessary maintenance work to proceed. Officials didn't say whether the bridge work will happen continuously throughout the two-year period or occur in phases. The transit agency also didn't indicate if the timeline could be shortened if construction progresses ahead of schedule.
Riders Advised to Plan for Detour
Passengers who regularly use the #125 Water Tower Express should factor in potential delays when planning trips during the extended detour period, transit officials said. The route serves downtown Chicago and connects riders to major employment and retail centers along Michigan Avenue. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA routes, including detour information and adjusted travel times for affected buses.
