Red Line riders are getting kicked upstairs this weekend, as the CTA pulls trains out of the State Street subway and runs them over the Loop instead. From 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday, there will be no Red Line subway service between Fullerton and Cermak‑Chinatown while crews tackle maintenance work underground. It is the first of four weekend detours, and riders should brace for longer trips and new boarding spots around the Loop.
How will service change
According to the CTA, during the detour window, all Red Line trains in both directions will leave the subway and use the elevated tracks between Cermak‑Chinatown and Fullerton. To help bridge the gap, a free shuttle bus will run about every 7.5 to 15 minutes between Fullerton and Clark/Lake, giving riders a link to the rerouted trains on the Loop. Riders are urged to build in extra travel time and follow posted signs that will point to temporary boarding locations.
Stations affected and alternatives
As reported by the Chicago Sun‑Times, Red Line trains will skip all subway stops between Fullerton and Cermak‑Chinatown: North/Clybourn, Clark/Division, Chicago, Grand, Lake, Monroe, Jackson, Harrison, and Roosevelt will not be served in the subway while the work is underway.
Instead, trains will use Brown Line and Loop elevated platforms, including Armitage, Sedgwick, Merchandise Mart, Clark/Lake, Washington/Wabash, and Adams/Wabash. The Sun‑Times also notes that the Pink Line will shut down the same weekend for repairs at the Cicero Avenue railroad crossing, with shuttle buses filling in for trains on the outlying stretch.
Pink Line closure and shuttle buses
Shuttle buses will replace Pink Line trains between Pulaski and 54th/Cermak while crews work, per the CTA's Pink Line alerts. The agency lists station‑by‑station shuttle stop locations on its alerts page and suggests riders consider nearby bus routes or transfers to the Brown Line to get downtown more quickly. Extra signage and additional staff are expected at key transfer points to help riders navigate the detour.
Tips for riders
Plan on padding your schedule for any downtown trip this weekend, and check real‑time updates before you head out. If your usual Red Line stop is closed, use the listed elevated alternatives or hop on the shuttle buses to connect with the rerouted trains. Transit apps and CTA alerts will show updated departure times. With more weekend work on the horizon, it is worth making a habit of glancing at service alerts before your commute.
.jpg){kind=link}