CTA Route 66 Adjusts for Downtown Construction

CTA Route 66 buses detour via Wabash and alternate streets due to Michigan Avenue construction

CTA Route 66 Rerouted Near Michigan Avenue

Riders on Chicago's Route 66 bus face detours near the Michigan Avenue corridor as construction work forces temporary route changes. The Chicago Transit Authority issued an alert early Sunday morning confirming the reroute affects both eastbound and westbound service near the Chicago/Michigan intersection. Officials didn't specify how many riders use the route daily or how long the construction project will last.

Construction Forces Service Adjustments

The reroute became necessary due to construction work near the Chicago/Michigan area, transit officials said. The CTA classified the change as a minor delay and reroute, though officials didn't provide details about the specific construction project causing the disruption. Transit agencies typically implement temporary reroutes when street work blocks normal bus paths or creates safety concerns for passengers and operators. The agency advised riders to allow extra travel time when using the route.

Buses Follow Alternate Downtown Paths

Eastbound buses now operate via Chicago, Wabash, Pearson, Mies Van Der Roe Way and Chicago before resuming their normal route, according to the transit authority. Westbound buses follow a different detour path via Chicago, Mies Van Der Roe Way, Chestnut, Wabash and Chicago before returning to regular service. Officials didn't say whether the reroutes add significant time to trips or affect specific stops along the route. The detours keep buses on nearby downtown streets while avoiding the construction zone.

Duration Remains Unclear

The CTA issued the customer alert at 12:40 a.m. Sunday, April 12, but officials haven't announced when the temporary reroute will end. The agency listed the end date as to be determined, leaving riders without a clear timeline for when normal service will resume. Transit officials typically provide completion estimates for construction-related detours, though timelines can shift based on project progress and weather conditions.

Riders Should Plan for Delays

Passengers using Route 66 should expect slightly longer travel times and different stop locations while the reroute remains in effect. The CTA operates dozens of bus routes throughout Chicago, serving hundreds of thousands of daily riders across the city's neighborhoods and downtown corridor. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA routes, helping riders track buses and plan trips around temporary service changes.