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- calendar_today October 25, 2026
Lake Street Bridge Closure Extended for CTA Green, Pink Lines
Riders of the CTA Green and Pink lines will face an extended service reroute this week as repairs to the Lake Street bridge over the Chicago River experience delays. The bridge’s closure, which has impacted public transit for weeks, was set to end soon, but ongoing construction delays have pushed back regular service restoration.
Bridge Repairs Behind Schedule
The Lake Street bridge has been under construction for more than a year as part of a major renovation. According to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), the current round of bridge repairs caused a two-day delay, moving the anticipated reopening from Monday to Wednesday at 4 a.m. This affects both pedestrian closure and vehicle traffic as well as transit operations.
CTA Green and Pink Line Rerouting Updates
The CTA Green Line and CTA Pink Line have been on altered routes for two weeks due to the closure. Normally, the Green and Pink lines would pass over the bridge, but ongoing work has required significant changes to regular travel patterns:
- Pink Line trains are not running through the Loop. Instead, trains terminate at Racine, with riders able to transfer to the Blue Line for continued travel.
- The Green Line operates in two split sections. The Lake Street branch of the Green Line ends at Clinton, where a free shuttle bus connects riders to the Clark/Lake station.
- The Green Line’s southern branch continues operating into the Loop, forming a clockwise pattern around station stops before heading south again.
Impacts to Vehicle, Pedestrian, and Rail Traffic
In addition to affecting train rerouting, the bridge’s closure has significant impacts on other forms of transit and traffic. Both pedestrian closure and restrictions to vehicle traffic have been in place for just over a year as renovations continue. CDOT’s timeline estimates that construction on the Lake Street bridge will last until January 2028.
CDOT’s Ongoing Renovation Efforts
The extension of the closure is the latest development in a complex overhaul of the bridge spanning the Chicago River. The project is intended to modernize the aging structure and improve long-term reliability for all modes of transport, including rail, vehicular, and pedestrian access. As a result, riders and commuters are urged to remain aware of service updates, particularly regarding shuttle bus service and alternate transfer points.
When Will Normal Service Resume?
According to CDOT, both the CTA Green and Pink lines are now scheduled to resume their typical routes starting Wednesday at 4 a.m., barring further delays. Commuters are advised to plan accordingly and monitor official transit communications for additional changes as work continues.
Source: chicago.suntimes.com.
