CTA Reroutes Route 79 After Police Activity
CTA Route 79 buses detour near 79th and Prairie due to overnight police activity
CTA Route 79 Rerouted Due to Police Activity
Chicago's Route 79 buses are running on detours near 79th Street and Prairie Avenue due to police activity, the Chicago Transit Authority said early Wednesday. The reroute began at 12:38 AM on March 25, affecting buses in both directions. Officials haven't said when normal service will resume. Riders should expect delays and allow extra travel time.
Detour Routes Vary by Direction
The temporary service change redirects buses away from their usual path along 79th Street near Prairie Avenue. Transit agencies typically implement such reroutes when police operations require street closures or restricted access to ensure public safety. The CTA classified this as a minor delay and reroute. Officials said the detour affects a key South Side corridor but didn't specify how many riders typically use this segment during overnight hours.
Specific Street-by-Street Routes
Eastbound Route 79 buses now travel via 79th Street, State Street, 76th Street, and King Drive before returning to 79th Street. Westbound buses follow 79th Street, King Drive, 76th Street, and Lafayette Avenue before resuming the regular route on 79th Street. The detours add several blocks to the journey in each direction. Officials didn't provide estimates for how much additional travel time riders should expect, though the agency advised passengers to plan for delays.
Duration Remains Unclear
The reroute took effect at 12:38 AM Wednesday, but officials haven't announced when buses will return to normal routing. The end time depends on when police complete their activity near 79th and Prairie, the transit agency said. CTA typically restores regular service as soon as streets reopen, though the timeline wasn't available.
How Riders Can Stay Updated
Passengers using Route 79 should allow extra time for their trips until the detour ends. The CTA said it'll provide updates as the situation develops, though officials didn't specify how riders will be notified of service restoration. Moovit offers real-time bus tracking and alerts for CTA routes, helping riders navigate temporary service changes and plan alternative routes when detours are in effect.
