How to use transit during the Kennedy Expressway construction

A major, multiyear construction project on the Kennedy Expressway stretching 7.5 miles from the junction with the Edens to Ohio Street threatens to leave drivers stuck in traffic. Transit is the answer. Drivers can either plan for a more congested commute or take advantage of public transit to get them where they need to go. The RTA has compiled information on how to use the CTA, Metra, and Pace during the Kennedy construction. Riding public transit is also more affordable and seamless than ever before thanks to new fare products. Learn more in a previous blog post.

CTA

The O’Hare branch of the CTA Blue Line runs along the Kennedy Expressway all the way from O’Hare into the city. Use the CTA’s trip planner to see if the Blue Line is a good option for you.

Pace

Pace has the unique ability to drive on the shoulder of the expressway through its Bus on Shoulder program. This allows the bus to bypass traffic in a quick and safe way. There are currently around a dozen expressway-based bus routes between I-55, I-94, and I-90, and no significant impacts to schedule reliability are expected due to planned construction. To plan your commute with Pace, use the trip planner to find available routes. Read more in a press release.

Metra

In efforts to accommodate the anticipated increase of Metra riders who will be commuting for work, Metra is adding 12 weekday trains to the UP-NW line starting after April 3. The addition of these trains will help riders get to and from the city on-time and safely. Metra has released a new departure schedule which details the new times for the UP-NW line. This increase in trains means Metra is running more service on this line than It was before the pandemic.

“Metra has been monitoring ridership as well as customer feedback, and these schedule changes respond to ridership trends and increase capacity and convenience by expanding peak period as well as off-peak service,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “And with a major multiyear rehab project scheduled to start on the Kennedy Expressway, this new schedule allows Metra to provide more commuters with a viable and much less stressful alternative to driving.” Read more in a press release.

Fare for the CTA, Metra, and Pace can be purchased through the Ventra app. Learn more about paying for your ride.