Chicagoans bracing for a year of construction chaos were given the heads-up on a multi-million dollar overhaul starting February 19. The Harlem Blue Line station’s bus bridge is set to undergo a $19.6M facelift, causing service tweaks and rerouted buses. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has revealed that the aging bus bridge, erected more than four decades ago, will be demolished and fully reconstructed.
In an attempt to quickly complete the necessary upgrades, the CTA plans to keep disruptions at bay as much as they can. Nevertheless, the Park & Ride facility adjacent to the Harlem station is going to be temporarily shuttered, according to CTA president Dorval R. Carter Jr. "As part of this year-long project, we are committed to minimizing impacts to our bus and rail riders as much as possible, while keeping to an aggressive construction timeline," Carter Jr. stated in an announcement obtained by Transit Chicago.
Starting early next week, commuters will have to sidestep the construction zone. Routes #88 Higgins and #90 Harlem buses will make detours on Harlem Avenue. Riders scooting to O'Hare Airport or downtown will need to get their timing right, as the project will also bring single-track operations and potential off-peak hour station closures. Patience will be put to the test, but a free bus shuttle service will stand in during these times, ensuring passengers aren't left out in the cold.
As the west entrance to the Harlem station shuts down, travelers are encouraged to pivot to the Cumberland or Rosemont CTA Park & Ride facilities. These minor but necessary service interruptions come with years of prolonged use of the bus bridge, a structure vital for shuttling passengers across the Kennedy Expressway. The construction, fueled by state and federal funds, aims to deliver a revamped station by early 2025.
