CTA Route 47 Adjusts for Street Work

CTA Route 47 eastbound buses detour via Damen and Ashland for 8 weeks due to street blockage

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CTA Route 47 Reroutes Eastbound Buses for 8 Weeks

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Eastbound riders on Chicago's Route 47 bus will need to plan for detours starting late February. The Chicago Transit Authority announced the eastbound service will reroute via 47th, Damen, 51st, and Ashland streets from Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 5:00 AM through Monday, April 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM. The nearly two-month detour affects only eastbound buses, while westbound service continues normally.

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The reroute is necessary due to a street blockage near the intersection of 47th and Paulina, transit officials said. The CTA didn't specify the nature of the blockage or whether it's related to construction, infrastructure work, or another cause. Street blockages requiring extended bus detours typically involve utility work, building projects, or roadway reconstruction that makes normal bus operations unsafe or impossible. The agency said the eight-week timeline suggests substantial work that can't be completed quickly.

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Eastbound buses will leave their regular route at 47th Street, travel north on Damen, east on 51st Street, and north on Ashland before returning to the normal 47th Street route, according to the transit agency. The detour adds approximately four blocks to the journey in each direction of the deviation. Officials didn't provide estimates for how much additional travel time riders should expect, though the CTA advised passengers to allow extra time during this period. The agency didn't say whether additional buses will be deployed to maintain regular headways despite the longer route.

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The service change takes effect at the start of morning rush hour on February 24 and will remain in place through early evening on April 20, transit officials confirmed. The CTA recommends riders check for updates and plan trips accordingly, though the agency didn't specify how frequently it'll provide progress updates on the blockage resolution. Officials didn't say whether the April 20 end date could change if work finishes early or requires extension.

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Route 47 riders who board between the affected segment should confirm their bus is traveling the detour route, as westbound buses won't be affected by the change. The CTA said multiple other bus routes and rail lines are experiencing various service alerts, though officials didn't specify which routes or the nature of those disruptions. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA routes, helping riders track buses on detour and plan alternative routes during the eight-week service change.