Elevated CTA train tracks close in Loop during busy Chicago weekend
The CTA has shut down all elevated train tracks in Chicago's Loop this weekend, during a busy fall weekend.
The track closure is part of the ongoing Lake Street Bridge repair project, which began in October last year. It affects the Brown, Green, Pink and Orange lines.
The shutdown began at 4 a.m. Saturday, and lasts until 4 a.m. Monday. Riders should plan to allow extra time when trying to get downtown.
And plenty of people were trying to get downtown, because there are several major events happening in and around the Loop this weekend.
The Arts in the Dark Halloween parade was held on Saturday evening in the Loop. Columbus Drive between Balbo and Monroe were closed for the parade route.
The 2026 ALS Walk For Life took place downtown on Saturday morning. It began with an opening ceremony at Soldier Field. The walk is approximately two miles, starting along the lakefront, winding through Museum Campus and ending with a stroll through Soldier Field.
Other walk/run events and Halloween celebrations were scheduled throughout the city for the weekend. With CTA tracks and some streets closed, everyone headed out for community fun should carefully check their route and plan for extra time.
Most commuters told CBS News Chicago they were unaware of the services being shut down for the weekend — wishing there was more communication from the CTA.
"I always like have to use the train or the bus or other such things to get around. So I can only imagine for all the rest of everybody else how difficult that could be. And, you know, I don't know if everybody pays attention to the news and also like what's going on. That makes things really tight and very like difficult. So I hope like everybody figures out what they got to do," said commuter Andre Gordon.
Visitors to the city are left figuring out how to get around with the service in the Loop shut down.
"Honestly surprised these trains, it's the Loop, it services so many places … it being down for what the weekend? I mean that's going to make a big impact on a lot of people," said James Zsohar, visiting from Missouri.
Track closures and shuttle buses
Green Line trains are operating between Harlem/Lake and Clinton, and separately between Roosevelt and the South Side terminals. Shuttle buses will be in place between Clinton and Roosevelt, replacing the Clinton to Clark/Lake shuttle that's been running the past two weeks.
Riders traveling downtown from the South Side can also connect to the Red Line at Roosevelt, CTA said.
Brown Line trains are running between Kimball and Merchandise Mart. Riders headed to the Red Line can connect at Belmont and Fullerton. Shuttle buses have replaced service between Merchandise Mart and Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren.
The Orange Line is operating between Midway and Roosevelt, and shuttle buses will operate between Roosevelt and Clinton.
Pink Line trains are running between 54th/Cermak and the Racine Blue Line station. Pink Line trains will not operate around the Loop. Customers can transfer between the Pink and Blue lines at Racine.
The Red and Blue lines, which run underground, are not affected.
The CTA says maintenance is required every ten years to help support safe and reliable service and reduce the risk of future service disruptions.
