CTA Route 49 Reroutes Around Western Avenue Blockage

CTA Route 49 detours near 57th Street due to unspecified Western Avenue blockage

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CTA Route 49 Rerouted on Western Due to Blockage

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Chicago's #49 Western bus route is running on a detour near 57th Street due to a street blockage, the Chicago Transit Authority said. The reroute began Friday, April 17, at 12:26 a.m., affecting buses in both directions near Western Avenue and 57th Street. Officials said the detour is causing minor delays, though they haven't announced when normal service will resume.

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The street blockage near Western and 57th prompted the service modification as part of the CTA's standard response to infrastructure obstacles, transit officials said. The agency typically reroutes buses when street conditions prevent safe or efficient operation on regular routes. Officials didn't specify what's causing the blockage or whether it involves construction, utility work, or another issue. The CTA classifies this as a minor service disruption, meaning riders should expect some delays but buses continue operating on an alternate path.

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Buses now travel via Western Avenue to 59th Street, then east to Damen Avenue, south to 55th Street, and back west to Western Avenue before resuming the regular route. The detour adds several blocks to the normal path through the area. Officials said riders using stops between the rerouted section should allow extra travel time, though they didn't provide specific estimates for how much additional time trips might take. The agency advises passengers to plan accordingly until the blockage is cleared.

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The reroute remains in effect with no announced end date. Officials listed the restoration timeline as to be determined, indicating the blockage resolution depends on factors they haven't detailed publicly. The CTA said it'll notify riders when normal service resumes, though the agency didn't specify how much advance notice it'll provide before buses return to the regular route.

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Riders on the #49 Western route should expect the detour to continue until further notice and plan for minor delays during their trips. Transit officials said they're providing updates as conditions change. Moovit offers real-time bus tracking and alternate route suggestions for CTA riders affected by the Western Avenue detour.