CTA Reroutes Buses Around Downtown Construction

CTA reroutes northbound #146 and #148 express buses via Wacker Drive for State/Lake construction

CTA Reroutes #146, #148 Buses for State/Lake Work

Riders taking express buses through downtown Chicago will need to adjust their commutes starting Wednesday. The Chicago Transit Authority announced northbound #146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express and #148 Clarendon/Michigan Express buses will detour around construction at State/Lake beginning August 20 at 9 a.m. Officials haven't said when the reroute will end.

Construction Forces Downtown Detour

The reroute stems from construction work at the State/Lake intersection, a key downtown transit hub where multiple rail lines converge. Officials said the work requires temporarily closing the intersection to northbound bus traffic. The CTA regularly adjusts routes around infrastructure projects to maintain service while allowing necessary repairs and improvements. The agency didn't provide details about the specific construction project or its scope.

Buses Will Use Wacker Drive Detour

Northbound #146 and #148 buses will travel via State Street, then turn onto Wacker Drive and East Wacker Place before returning to their regular route on Michigan Avenue, according to the transit agency. Southbound service on both routes will continue operating normally without changes. Officials said riders should allow extra travel time when using the affected northbound services. The detour adds several blocks to the route through downtown's street grid.

Reroute Begins Wednesday Morning

The service modification takes effect Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m., transit officials confirmed. The agency hasn't announced an end date for the reroute, saying the duration depends on construction progress. Officials said they'll notify riders when normal routing resumes. The CTA typically provides updates through service alerts as project timelines become clearer.

Riders Can Track Detour in Real Time

The reroute affects two of the CTA's express routes that connect North Side neighborhoods with downtown during peak periods. Passengers can plan around the detour by checking arrival times and route paths before traveling. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated routing for CTA services, helping riders navigate temporary changes. Officials said most other CTA rail and bus services are operating normally, though elevator outages are affecting several stations across the system.