CTA Reroutes Route 70 Around Division Flooding
CTA reroutes Route 70 buses via Pulaski, Augusta, and Cicero due to flooding at Division and Kolmar
CTA Reroutes Route 70 Due to Division Flooding
Chicago's Route 70 Division bus is taking a detour to avoid localized flooding near Division and Kolmar, the Chicago Transit Authority said Friday night. Buses in both directions are being redirected via Division, Pulaski, Augusta, and Cicero before resuming normal service on Division. The CTA issued the alert at 11:13 PM on April 17, 2026, advising passengers to allow extra travel time.
Weather-Related Service Changes
The reroute stems from flooding conditions at the Division/Kolmar intersection that made normal bus operations unsafe, transit officials said. Chicago's transit system regularly adjusts routes during severe weather events to protect passengers and equipment. The CTA classifies this as a minor delay and reroute impact. Officials haven't said what caused the localized flooding or whether other routes in the area are affected.
Detour Route Details
Buses are following a path along Division Street to Pulaski Road, then south on Pulaski to Augusta Boulevard, east on Augusta to Cicero Avenue, and north on Cicero back to Division Street. The detour adds several blocks to the normal route in each direction. Officials haven't specified how much additional travel time riders should expect. The duration of the reroute is listed as to be determined, with no estimated timeline for when buses will return to their regular path.
Timeline Remains Uncertain
The CTA hasn't provided an estimated end time for the service disruption. Transit officials said the reroute will remain in effect until flooding conditions improve and the Division/Kolmar intersection is safe for bus operations. The agency typically monitors weather-related hazards continuously and restores normal service once conditions allow, though officials didn't say how frequently they're assessing the flooding situation.
Rider Information and Updates
Passengers using Route 70 should plan for longer trips and possible schedule changes while the detour is in effect. The CTA said riders can monitor service alerts through its customer notification system, though officials didn't specify how advance notice will be provided when normal service resumes. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and service alerts for CTA routes throughout Chicago, helping riders adjust their travel plans during disruptions.
