CTA increasing train service for NFL Draft, Polish parade downtown

The CTA is increasing train service through Saturday for NFL Draft 2015 festivities and the Polish Constitution Day Parade downtown.

More than 100,000 fans are expected to head downtown starting Thursday for the three-day event at the Auditorium Theatre and at the free, interactive Draft Town event in Grant Park, according to the Sun-Times.

The 124th Polish Constitution Day Parade will also draw large crowds Saturday along its route on Dearborn from Lake to Van Buren, according to the organizer’s website. The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m.

Because of these two events, the CTA will operate longer trains on the Blue, Brown, Green and Orange Line trains from 4 p.m. to midnight both Thursday and Friday, the transit agency said in a release. Longer trains will run all day Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Riders should keep in mind that Brown Line trains will be rerouted to the Red Line subway all weekend starting at 8 p.m. Friday because of an ongoing construction project, the CTA said.

Brown Line trains will operate normally between Kimball and Fullerton. Riders affected by the construction should allow extra time to get downtown, the CTA said.

Street closures for this weekend’s events will also affect CTA bus service on 21 different downtown routes.

NFL Draft activities will temporarily close Congress Plaza and relocate or detour buses along Michigan Avenue along Grant Park starting Thursday afternoon, the CTA said. Buses will also be rerouted from Dearborn and near the intersection of State and Wacker for the parade Saturday.

Passengers should check the CTA’s website for detailed travel information on each route. Affected routes include:

• No. 1 Bronzeville/Union Station
• No. 3 King Drive
• No. 4 Cottage Grove
• No. 6 Jackson Park Express
• No. 7 Harrison
• No. J14 Jeffery Jump
• No. 20 Madison
• No. 22 Clark
• No. 24 Wentworth
• No. 26 South Shore Express
• No. 28 Stony Island
• No. 36 Broaday
• No. 56 Milwaukee
• No. 60 Blue Island/26th
• NO. 62 Archer
• No. 124 Navy Pier
• No. 126 Jackson
• No. 132 Goose Island Express
• No. 143 Stockton/Michigan Express
• No. 147 Outer Drive Express
• No. 151 Sheridan