Expect traffic and road closures in downtown Chicago due to Biden visit, Bears home game
A road closed signs blocks the street in downtown Chicago.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Commuters and those headed to tonight’s Bears game at Soldier Field should expect and prepare for traffic delays downtown Thursday evening ahead of President Biden’s arrival.
Biden’s motorcade as well as crowds protesting his visit could shut down vehicle access to downtown. The Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at 7:15 p.m., but fans often arrive about 4 p.m.
The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine has planned a demonstration near the 400 block of North Armour Street that will kick off at 3 p.m., according to the group.
Motorists should plan ahead and look for alternative routes.
Though the motorcade could delay some train and bus routes, the Chicago Transit Authority did not expect any significant impact, according to a CTA spokesperson.
Events could impact several lines during the evening commute, with the Union Pacific and Milwaukee District lines most likely to experience a disruption between 4 and 6 p.m., Metra said in an alert.
The Metra Electric District will also run extra train service in anticipation of the Bears home game.
Trains 132, 136, and 140 will stop at 18th Street. After the game, train 149 will be held 5 minutes at 18th Street and a ‘Bears extra’ will also depart Museum Campus/11th St. about 30 minutes after the game and will make stops listed on the Bears extra train.