CTA Modifies Bus Routes Along Wacker Drive
CHICAGO (STMW) - Starting Monday, several CTA bus stop locations along Canal Street downtown will be changed in an effort to improve traffic flow and for customer safety during the Revive Wacker Drive construction project.
The work on Wacker Drive is being done in phases, starting between Randolph and Madison. In mid-summer, the work will shift south for crews to rehab the section of Wacker between Madison and Monroe.
To accommodate work crews, 13 CTA bus routes have been altered. Wacker traffic is being detoured onto Franklin Street, which has been converted into a two-way street for the duration of the project.
The bus route changes, which affect some customer boarding locations, include:
No. 120 Ogilvie/Wacker Express and No. 122 Illinois Center/Ogilvie Express
Boarding for eastbound customers using both routes will relocate to northbound on Canal at Washington rather than northbound on Canal at Randolph, a release from the CTA said.
No. 124 Navy Pier
The near side stop at Canal/Washington served by eastbound No. 124 buses has been removed. Eastbound No. 124 buses will serve a new near side stop at Canal/Randolph. The near side stop at Canal/Lake served by eastbound No. 124 buses has been removed.
No. 125 Water Tower Express
Northbound No. 125 buses will serve the new stop at Canal/Randolph. The northbound near side stop at Canal/Lake has been removed. Southbound No.125 buses will serve a new near side stop on Clinton/Randolph.
During the construction, CTA riders traveling on routes affected by the project are encouraged to allow extra travel time.
The Wacker Drive work will be similar to what was done in 2001 and 2002 on East/West Wacker and includes increasing the ceiling height on Lower Wacker, improving lighting and eliminating blind merges.
Additionally, the Chicago Department of Transportation is suggesting motorists avoid the Washington exit on the Kennedy Expressway at rush hours between 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Lake Shore Drive and east-west Upper Wacker Drive are good alternatives with light traffic
For more details on CTA service during the construction riders can visit the CTA's website, www.transitchicago.com, or call (312) 836-7000.
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