CTA Route 85 Adjusts for Central Avenue Work

CTA Route 85 detours via Chicago, Austin, Lake streets April 20-27 for Central Avenue work

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CTA Route 85 Reroutes for Week of Construction

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Chicago's #85 Central bus will take a different path for a week starting April 20, 2026, as construction crews work on Central Avenue at Race. The Chicago Transit Authority said buses will detour via Central, Chicago, Austin, Lake, Waller, Corcoran, and back to Central in both directions from 5:30 AM Monday, April 20 through 8:00 PM Monday, April 27. Transit officials advised riders to allow extra travel time during the weeklong detour.

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The temporary reroute affects one of Chicago's West Side bus corridors that connects neighborhoods along Central Avenue. Construction work at the Central and Race intersection requires buses to bypass their normal route for the seven-day period, transit officials said. The CTA typically implements temporary detours when street construction or utility work blocks regular bus paths. Officials didn't specify what type of construction necessitates the route change or which contractor is performing the work.

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The detour route adds several turns to the #85 Central's normal path, taking buses east on Chicago Avenue, south on Austin, east on Lake, south on Waller, east on Corcoran, and back to Central. Transit officials said the modified route will serve the same general area but may require riders to walk slightly different distances to stops. The agency didn't release information about whether any stops will be temporarily relocated or how many riders typically use the affected portion of the route. Route 85 operates daily, though officials didn't specify whether the detour affects all service hours or just certain times of day.

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The service change takes effect at 5:30 AM on Monday, April 20, 2026, and continues through 8:00 PM on Monday, April 27, 2026. The CTA said buses will return to their normal route after construction work concludes. Transit officials typically notify riders of temporary detours through posted signs at affected stops and system alerts, though the agency didn't specify how far in advance riders will see notifications for this particular reroute.

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Riders should plan for longer trip times during the construction period, transit officials said. The detour adds several turns and additional street segments to the route, which may extend travel times depending on traffic conditions. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and updated route information for CTA services, helping riders adjust their schedules during temporary service changes. Officials said the construction work is scheduled to conclude by the evening of April 27, allowing buses to resume normal operations.