Jen DeSalvo, WLS-AM 890 Traffic
(CHICAGO) The bustle of Clark and Addison can be invigorating during the months of Cubs play (or on any given Saturday night with out of town imbibers). Though traffic and public transportation typically function in a “business-as-usual” manner during these times.
Not this time. It’s the World Series, and the city of Chicago is preparing diligently for the upcoming home games. Unlike regular season games, strict street closures will be in place with limited access by vehicle to locations within a half of a mile around Wrigley Field.
According to a press release from the Office of Emergency Management Communications, CPD officers will be conducting security checks within a two-block perimeter of the field, and any alcohol found on the public way will be confiscated.
A secondary perimeter will be put into effect at the start of home games to restrict incoming traffic to local residential traffic only. Motorists will have to provide a photo ID with proof of address to enter. Residents who park their cars on ten streets within four blocks around Wrigley Field will have to find somewhere else to park.
Due to these multiple street closures and heavy parking restrictions listed below, public transportation is highly recommended. Metra offers an $8-unlimited ride pass on weekends. Plus, the camaraderie on the Red Line after a win is incomparable!
* ADA PARA-TRANSIT DROP-OFF/PICK-UP: Located at the corner of Sheffield and Addison.
* BIKE VALET: Free bike check service to bicyclists at Addison and Sheffield two hours before games until one hour after the game.
REMOTE PARKING
The Cubs offer free remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell St., just east of the Chicago River and accessed from Irving Park Road. The lot includes free shuttle service to and from Wrigley Field, beginning three and a half hours before the first pitch until one hour after the end of the game.
Trains
Red Line
The ballpark is just a half block west of the Addison stop on the CTA Red Line.
To get to the Addison stop from the south (including downtown), take a Red Line train toward Howard. From the north, take a Red Line train toward 95th.
The ballpark is also just a couple of blocks south of the Sheridan stop on the CTA Red Line.
Extra service will be extended into overnight hours to accommodate the extra foot traffic from Cubs fans.
World Series Special: Ride historic 2400-series cars
Some fans heading to the Cubs World Series games at Wrigley Field will end up boarding a piece of Chicago history on their way to the historic games. For Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series, the CTA will be operating will the “World Series Special” 2400-series train (built 1976-1978) on the Red Line leading up to first pitch.
Check out this neat video showcasing the “World Series Special” train.
Skokie Yellow Line
Yellow Line trains between Howard and Skokie will run until 2 a.m.
Buses
You can also use CTA bus routes #8 Halsted, #22 Clark #80 Irving Park or #152 Addison (connects to the Brown and Blue lines) will be available three hours before the game time through an hour after it ends.
Parking downtown and taking the Red Line north toward Howard is another option. Oftentimes, garages in the Loop and River North neighborhoods have lower rates on the weekends.
STREET CLOSURES
Local Street Closures
The following street closures are expected to be in effect significantly earlier than previous playoff series games:
* Clark: Irving Park to Belmont
* Addison: Halsted to Racine
Sheffield (Addison to Waveland): Full Street Closure (Except Fire Lane)- Pedestrian access will remain open on Sheffield.
Waveland (Sheffield to Clark): Full Street Closure (Except Fire Lane) – Pedestrian access will remain open on Waveland.
Fans and residents around the ballpark should be aware that additional street closures may occur, as needed, for public safety.
Info from the OEMC
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Although the first two games of the World Series are being played in Cleveland, residents and fans are reminded about the parking restrictions in effect around the ballpark for all games – home and away.
These restrictions are implemented to assist with traffic flow, with the goal of causing minimal impact to residents.
No parking is allowed on the following streets, beginning Tuesday, October 25 at noon until Thursday, October 27, at 4 a.m., as well as Friday, October 28 at noon through Monday, October 31 at 4.a.m:
Clark – School/ Aldine to Irving Park (Both Sides)
Sheffield – Roscoe to Irving Park (Both Sides)
Addison – Halsted to Southport (Both Sides)
Addison – Southport to Ashland (North Side)
Racine – Roscoe to Grace/ Clark (Both Sides)**
Patterson, Waveland, Eddy, Cornelia & Newport – Racine to Clark (Both Sides)
Waveland – Fremont to Halsted (South Side ONLY Friday, October 28th)
Clifton, Seminary and Kenmore – Waveland to Grace (Both Sides)
Irving Park – Clark to Seminary (Both Sides)
Inner Lake Shore – Belmont to Addison (East Side)
Grace and Waveland – Clark to Wilton (Both Sides)
Info from the OEMC
METRA
Public Transit from the Suburbs
Metra’s unlimited ride $8 weekend pass can get you to the ballpark and back both Saturday and Sunday. Here are the details on how to get to Wrigley Field from each of the train lines from metrarail.com.
Directions to Wrigley Field from Chicago Union Station:
- Walk six blocks east to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway). Take Red Line trains going north to the Addison stop, just steps from the ballpark, or
- Board a CTA bus to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway): No. 1 Bronzeville/Union Station or No. 151 Sheridan at the Union Station Transit Center, located along Jackson Blvd. between Canal Street and Clinton Street just south of Union Station. Take Red Line train going north to the Addison stop.
Directions to Wrigley Field from Ogilvie Transportation Center:
- Walk six blocks east to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway). Take the Red Line north to Addison, or
- Board a CTA bus to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway): No. 20 Madison, No. 56 Milwaukee or No. J14 Jeffery Jump to connect to the State Street Subway. Take the Red Line north to Addison.
Directions to Wrigley Field from Millennium and Van Buren Street Stations:
- Walk two blocks west to State Street to take the Red Line to Addison.
Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s UP Northwest Irving Park Station:
- Board CTA bus No. 80 Irving Park to Clark Street.
Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s Milwaukee North Grayland Station:
- Walk south on Kilbourn Avenue to Addison Street. Take CTA bus No. 152 Addison east to the ballpark.
Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s UP North Line Davis Street Station:
- Walk one block east to the CTA Davis Station. Board a Howard-bound Purple Line train to Howard and then transfer to a 95th-bound Red Line train to Addison.
Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s Rock Island Line:
- Get off at the 35th Street/”Lou” Jones Station. Walk to the CTA Red Line and take the train going north to the Addison stop.
