Street closures, reroutes go into effect for Taste of Chicago

On an already challenging traffic weekend in Chicago, several street closures and CTA reroutes will take effect in the Loop as set-up begins for the Taste of Chicago, which begins next week in Grant Park.

The closures will be more noticeable because of heavy traffic expected for the three Grateful Dead shows at Soldier Field and Saturday’s fireworks display at Navy Pier.

Columbus Drive is now closed from Roosevelt to Monroe, according to the Office of Emergency Management & Communications.

Beginning Friday, additional closures go into effect — Congress Parkway will be closed from Michigan Avenue east to Columbus, and Jackson Drive from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive.

All closures will be in effect through July 13, except for those on Jackson, which last until July 14.

As a result, six CTA bus routes are detoured, including the No. 2 Hyde Park Express, No. 6 Jackson Park Express, No. 10 Museum of Science and Industry, No. J14 Jeffrey Express, No. 26 South Shore Express and No. 28 Stony Island.

Additionally, the entrance ramp at Roosevelt Road from the northbound Dan Ryan Expressway is closed for construction. The southbound entrance ramp remains open.

The emergency management office recommends that Chicagoans to use public transportation to get around the city over the weekend.