CTA Reroutes Route 157 for Canal Street Work

CTA Route 157 buses detour via Taylor and Jefferson streets starting December 15

CTA Reroutes Route 157 Buses for Canal Work

Chicago's Route 157 Streeterville/Taylor buses will take a different path through downtown starting December 15 due to street reconstruction. Northbound buses will detour via Taylor and Jefferson streets before returning to their regular route on Washington, transit officials said. Southbound service won't be affected by the changes, which accommodate the Chicago Department of Transportation's Canal Street Reconstruction Project.

Construction Project Drives Service Change

The Canal Street Reconstruction Project requires the temporary route modification to maintain safe bus operations while crews work on the roadway. Transit agencies typically reroute buses around major infrastructure projects to avoid construction zones and maintain schedule reliability. The CTA didn't specify how long the reconstruction work will take or when Route 157 will return to its normal path. Officials said the detour allows the transportation department to complete necessary street improvements while keeping bus service running.

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. Additional boarding is available at the southwest corner of Washington and Canal where buses resume their regular route. The CTA has designated these multiple pickup points to minimize inconvenience for riders affected by the detour. Officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time due to the service changes, though they didn't provide estimates for how much additional time might be needed.

Reroute Begins Mid-December

The detour takes effect Monday, December 15, 2025, with no end date announced. Transit officials said they'll maintain the modified route until the Canal Street reconstruction work is complete. The CTA typically provides advance notice before returning routes to normal operations, though officials haven't said whether they'll issue updates as the project progresses.

Riders Should Plan for Longer Trips

Route 157 passengers traveling northbound through the affected area should expect modified boarding locations and potentially longer travel times during the construction period. The detour adds several turns to the route as buses navigate via Taylor and Jefferson before reaching Washington. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and updated route information for CTA services, helping riders plan trips around temporary service changes.