CTA Reroutes Route 157 for Canal Street Work

Route 157 buses detour via Jefferson Street starting Dec 15 for Canal reconstruction

CTA Reroutes Route 157 Buses for Canal Work

Chicago's Route 157 Streeterville/Taylor buses will take a different path through downtown starting Monday, December 15, transit officials said. Northbound buses will detour via Taylor and Jefferson streets before returning to their regular route on Washington, while southbound service continues unchanged. The reroute accommodates the Chicago Department of Transportation's Canal Street Reconstruction Project, though officials haven't said when normal service will resume.

Construction Project Drives Service Change

The Canal Street Reconstruction Project requires temporary changes to bus routes that typically use the corridor, according to the transit agency. Infrastructure projects in dense urban areas often necessitate service adjustments to maintain safe operations while work proceeds. Officials said the reroute was designed to minimize disruption while allowing construction crews access to the work zone. The project's scope and completion timeline weren't detailed in the service change announcement.

Multiple Stops Available on Detour Route

Passengers can board northbound Route 157 buses at several locations along Jefferson Street, including stops at Taylor, Polk, Harrison, Van Buren, Jackson, and Washington intersections, officials said. Additional boarding is available at the southwest corner of Washington and Canal. The CTA designated multiple pickup points to provide access throughout the detour area. Officials advised riders to allow extra travel time due to the modified routing, though specific delay estimates weren't provided.

Service Change Takes Effect December 15

The reroute begins Monday, December 15, 2025, with no specified end date announced by the transit agency. Officials said the detour will remain in place for the duration of construction work on Canal Street. The CTA typically provides advance notice before returning routes to normal service, though a timeline for restoration wasn't available.

Riders Should Plan for Modified Route

Passengers who regularly use Route 157 northbound service should familiarize themselves with the new boarding locations along Jefferson Street before the December 15 change takes effect. Southbound riders won't experience any service modifications during the construction period. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and updated route information for CTA services, helping riders navigate temporary detours and plan trips with current schedules.