CTA Routes 88, 90 Resume After Bridge Work

CTA routes 88 and 90 return to normal routing March 23 after Harlem Blue Line bus bridge work

CTA Routes 88, 90 Resume Normal Service March 23

Chicago Transit Authority riders on the Northwest Side will see bus routes #88 Higgins and #90 Harlem return to normal routing starting Monday, March 23, at 6:00 AM, transit officials said. The changes follow completion of construction on the Harlem Blue Line station's bus bridge over the Kennedy Expressway. Both routes had been operating on detours during the bridge work, affecting riders traveling between Jefferson Park and Devon Avenue.

Context

The Harlem Blue Line station serves as a key transfer point for Northwest Side bus routes connecting to the Blue Line's O'Hare branch. The bus bridge reconstruction required temporary reroutes to maintain service while crews worked on the structure spanning the Kennedy Expressway. Transit officials said the project improves infrastructure reliability for the station, which handles thousands of daily transfers between bus and rail service. The CTA operates eight rail lines and more than 120 bus routes throughout Chicago.

Details

Westbound #88 buses heading to Devon/Canfield will board at the north bus bay on the Harlem Blue Line station's bus bridge instead of the northeast corner of Harlem/Bryn Mawr, officials said. Eastbound #88 buses to Jefferson Park Blue Line station will use the southbound bus stop outside the station's east entrance. Route #90 buses will begin and end trips at the center bus bay on the bus bridge rather than detouring via Talcott and Sayre. The changes restore direct access to the Blue Line station for both routes.

Timeline

The routing changes take effect Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:00 AM, according to the transit agency. Officials announced the changes following completion of the bus bridge construction project. The CTA didn't specify how long the construction work lasted or provide details about the scope of the bridge improvements. Riders should check for updated schedules and boarding locations before the Monday morning implementation.

Impact

Riders on routes #88 and #90 should note the new boarding locations at Harlem Blue Line station starting Monday morning. The return to normal routing eliminates the temporary detours that added travel time during construction. Transit officials said riders can access real-time bus tracking and service updates to plan trips using the restored routes. Moovit provides real-time arrival information and trip planning for CTA bus and rail routes throughout Chicago.