CTA Reroutes Route 125 for Bridge Maintenance
CTA Route 125 detours around Lake Street bridge for maintenance through 2027
CTA Reroutes Route 125 for Bridge Work
Chicago's Route 125 Water Tower Express will detour around the Lake Street bridge starting Oct. 6 as crews perform maintenance work over the Chicago River, transit officials said. Northbound buses will use Jefferson, Washington, and Franklin streets before returning to their regular route on Orleans. The reroute affects only northbound service, with southbound buses continuing on their normal path.
Extended Timeline for Infrastructure Work
The maintenance project will keep the reroute in place for more than two years, from Oct. 6, 2025, through Nov. 26, 2027. Bridge maintenance work is essential for maintaining safe passage over the Chicago River, which has more than 50 movable bridges that require regular upkeep. The CTA didn't specify what type of maintenance work the Lake Street bridge requires or provide cost estimates for the project. Transit agencies typically schedule extended bridge work during periods when alternative routes can accommodate diverted traffic.
Route Details and Service Impact
Northbound Route 125 buses will exit their regular path before the Lake Street bridge, traveling via Jefferson Street to Washington Street, then to Franklin Street before rejoining the normal route at Orleans Street. The detour adds several blocks to the northbound journey. Officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time during the two-year period. The agency didn't say how much additional time riders should expect for trips or whether service frequency would be adjusted to account for longer travel times.
Implementation Begins Monday Morning
The reroute takes effect Monday, Oct. 6, at 9 a.m., giving riders the weekend to plan alternative routes or adjust their schedules. The CTA typically posts detour signs along affected routes and at bus stops to guide passengers during service changes. Officials didn't say whether additional staff would be deployed to assist riders during the transition period or if printed schedules reflecting the detour would be distributed.
System-Wide Service Updates
The Route 125 detour is one of multiple active alerts affecting CTA bus service, with several routes experiencing temporary changes. Most rail lines are operating normally, though elevator outages are affecting stations on the Red, Blue, Brown, and Pink lines. The Purple and Yellow lines are running added service. Riders can track real-time bus locations and receive updates about the Route 125 detour through Moovit, which provides current arrival times and service alerts for all CTA routes.
