CTA Route 39 Reroutes Around Construction Work
CTA Route 39 buses detour via Prairie and Wabash due to Indiana Avenue construction
CTA Route 39 Reroutes Around Indiana Work
Chicago's Route 39 Pershing buses are taking detours around construction on Indiana Avenue between 41st and 31st streets, transit officials said Tuesday. The CTA issued the alert April 7 for both eastbound and westbound service, though officials haven't said when the reroute will end. Riders should expect longer trips while the detour's in effect.
Construction Forces Street Closure
The reroute became necessary when construction closed Indiana Avenue in the Bronzeville area, according to the transit agency. Officials classified the change as a planned reroute, suggesting coordination with city construction schedules. The affected stretch runs 10 blocks through a corridor that typically carries Route 39 between the South Side and downtown connections. Transit agencies typically implement planned reroutes when street work requires extended closures that can't accommodate bus traffic.
Buses Take Different Paths
Eastbound Route 39 buses now travel via 41st Street and Prairie Avenue before returning to their normal route on Pershing Road, officials said. Westbound buses use 41st Street and Wabash Avenue before resuming the regular route on Pershing. The detours add several blocks to each direction's path around the construction zone. Officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time but didn't specify how much additional time trips might take.
No End Date Set
The reroute began Tuesday, April 7, at 8:16 a.m., but the CTA hasn't announced when service will return to normal routing. The agency lists the end date as to be determined, likely tied to construction completion schedules. Officials said they'll maintain the detour until Indiana Avenue reopens to bus traffic.
Riders Can Track Changes
Route 39 passengers should plan for the detour to continue indefinitely until the agency announces otherwise. The reroute is one of multiple service alerts currently affecting CTA bus routes across the system. Moovit provides real-time updates for Route 39 and other CTA services, helping riders navigate temporary routing changes and plan trips with current schedules.
