Your daily downtown commute in Chicago might be met with some roadblocks in the coming weeks.
Seasonal bridge lifts and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) service disruptions are set to take affect this month.
Here’s a look at the timeline and what the traffic disruptions mean for you.
Chicago fall bridge lift schedule
Chicago fall bridge lifts will begin on Wednesday, September 30, according to Chicago Loop Bridges.
Lifts will occur now through November 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays.
Bridge lift dates are as follows:
- Wednesday, September 30 – 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 3 – 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 7 – 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 10 – 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday, October 17 – 9:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 27 – 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday, October 29 – 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 4 – 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, November 7 – 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday, November 14 – 9:00 a.m.
Chicago’s annual bridge lifts take place in the spring and fall, allowing recreational boaters to move their vessels to and from storage yards.
Lifts typically last 8-12 minutes on average, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).
The 2026 fall bridge lift schedule is different than in years past, with no lifts the week of October 19th to allow for construction on the Lake Street bridge.
Pink and Green line service stops this month
Construction on the Lake Street bridge will also create service disruptions on the CTA Pink and Green lines this October, according to CDOT.
CTA service will be suspended between the Clinton and Clark/Lake stations from Tuesday, October 13, through early morning Monday, October 26 to accommodate critical work on the bridge.
The CTA plans to install directional signage and deploy shuttle buses in order assist riders during the service stop. Additional details will be announced soon.
Click here to learn more.
