CTA Route 70 Rerouted Around Flooding
CTA Route 70 buses detour via Pulaski, Augusta, Cicero due to flooding at Division/Kolmar
CTA Route 70 Rerouted Due to Flooding
Chicago's Route 70 Division bus is taking a detour around flooded streets near Division and Kolmar, affecting riders traveling in both directions. The Chicago Transit Authority issued an alert Friday night confirming the temporary reroute due to localized flooding at the Division/Kolmar intersection. Buses are being redirected via Division, Pulaski, Augusta, and Cicero before returning to their regular route on Division, and passengers should expect delays.
Flooding Forces Service Modification
The reroute became necessary when localized flooding made the Division/Kolmar intersection impassable for buses, transit officials said. Chicago's aging infrastructure and drainage systems can struggle during heavy rainfall events, particularly in areas where street flooding accumulates quickly. The CTA classifies this as a minor delay and reroute impact, though the agency hasn't specified how much additional travel time riders should expect. Weather-related service disruptions are common across urban transit systems, with flooding representing one of the most frequent causes of temporary route changes.
Route Details and Affected Areas
Buses traveling in both directions at Division/Kolmar are being redirected through a multi-street detour that takes them south on Pulaski, west on Augusta, north on Cicero, and back to Division. The reroute affects all Route 70 Division buses passing through this section of the route until flooding subsides. Officials haven't said how many daily riders use this portion of the route or provided specific ridership figures for Route 70. The detour adds several blocks to the normal route, though the CTA didn't release estimates of how much time the detour adds to typical trips.
Duration Remains Uncertain
The CTA listed the duration of the reroute as to be determined, with no timeline provided for when buses will return to their normal route. The agency issued the alert at 11:13 PM Friday, April 17, but officials haven't said when the flooding began or how long it typically takes for water to recede in this area. Transit officials said they'll monitor conditions and restore normal service once it's safe for buses to resume their regular route through Division/Kolmar.
Rider Information and Updates
Passengers using Route 70 Division should allow extra travel time and expect buses to bypass their regular stops near Division/Kolmar until the reroute ends. The CTA advises riders to plan for delays when traveling through the affected area. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and reroute information for CTA routes, helping riders adjust their trips during service disruptions. Officials said they'll update riders when normal service resumes, though they haven't specified how that notification will be provided.
