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. Riders should plan for 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. Transit officials said the construction work at Central and Race requires buses to bypass their normal route for the seven-day period. The #85 Central typically serves residential and commercial areas along its regular path, though officials didn't specify how many daily riders use the route. Construction-related detours are common during spring and summer months when road work intensifies across the city.

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Buses will follow Central Avenue before turning onto Chicago Avenue, then Austin Boulevard, Lake Street, Waller Avenue, and Corcoran Place before returning to Central Avenue. The detour route adds several turns to the bus's normal path, which officials said makes extra travel time necessary. The CTA didn't provide estimates for how much additional time riders should expect. The agency said the reroute will operate in both directions throughout the construction period.

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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. Transit officials said the weeklong timeframe aligns with the construction schedule at Central and Race. The route will return to its normal path after 8:00 PM on April 27, though officials didn't say whether the construction project might require additional detours in the future.

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Riders can track their bus in real time and receive service alerts through the CTA's Bus Tracker system. The agency said passengers should allow extra time for their trips during the detour period and consider alternative routes if available. Moovit provides real-time updates for CTA routes, including detour information and adjusted arrival times for affected stops along the #85 Central.