Pop-Up Bus Lanes Coming to Chicago

New pop-up bus lanes on two of the most heavily traveled bus routes in Chicago will help move essential workers more efficiently during the pandemic.

1 minute read

September 24, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


CTA Buses

Keith Levit / Shutterstock

"The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced a 'pop-up essential bus lanes' program that will temporarily designate 24-hour bus-only lanes along two city routes to expand bus service for essential workers," reports Katie Pyzyk. 

Mike Claffey, a spokesperson for the CDOT is quoted in the article providing more details about the implementation of the new pop-up bus lanes, which will be marked with striping and signs rather than the usual red paint treatment.

"The city intends to install the lanes within the next several weeks and run the pilot for at least six months to evaluate any changes with ridership and operations," according to Pyzyk.

The two routes have already received upgrades as part of the city's Bus Priority Zones program announced in 2019. "The city first announced planned improvements along these two bus corridors in 2018," according to Pyzyk. "Last year it provided $20 million in funding for CDOT and CTA to improve bus travel times and reliability along core routes as part of the Bus Priority Zone Program, and the two routes that will receive the new pop-up lanes received upgrades as part of the larger initiative."

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 in Smart Cities Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

29 minutes ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

2 hours ago - UNM News

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

4 hours ago - Investopedia