Chicago traffic and transit: Bud Billiken Parade, Blue Line Belmont station closed

There’s a lot going on this weekend—the Bud Billiken Parade, Cubs games, concerts and a CTA station closure. Beyonce and Jay-Z are in town for a Soldier Field performance too. If you don’t know what’s coming, it can make ordinary travel pretty frustrating.

This is what CTA has planned for this weekend and how to use public transit for the big events. Stay up to date on any public transit issues by following the CTA on Twitter or checking its website. So, here’s what you need to know so you can get there, or get around, easier.

Cubs at Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs play the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field 1:20 p.m. Friday, 3:05 p.m. Saturday, and 7:08 p.m. Sunday. Only on Friday will the CTA provide extra PM rush service on the Red Line, likely to help the mass of fans and commuters all at once. For Friday and Saturday there will be additional bus service on No. 80 Irving Park and No. 152 Addison.

Closest L stop: Red Line Addison station
Bus routes: 8, 36, 22, 80, 152

Beyonce and Jay-Z at Soldier Field

The iconic couple will perform twice at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Before and after the concert there will be extra service on No. 130 Museum Campus and No. 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express.

Closest L stop: Red, Orange, Green Lines at Roosevelt station
From this station it’s about a 15 minute walk east to Soldier Field.
Bus routes: 128, 130, 146

Bud Billiken Parade at Washington Park

The 89th Annual Bud Billiken Parade and Festival goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The parade begins at King Drive and Oakwood Boulevard heading south on King to 51st Street before turning into Washing Park. It will wend at Garfield Boulevard and Ellsworth Drive.

The celebration dates back to 1929 and represents the pride, hope and happiness of Chicago’s South Side. It’s the second largest parade in the nation, according to Bud’s website, and features marching bands, drill and dance teams, and cheer and tumbling groups. Last year Chance the Rapper was the grand marshal and handed out backpacks filled with school supplies. This year the grand marshals are actor Deon Cole and musician Vic Mensa. This year’s theme: Back to School, Back to Work, Back to Life, Back to Bud.

Extra service and longer trains will run on the Green Line during the parade and more buses will run on the No. 3 King Drive, No. 4 Cottage Grove, No. 15 Jeffery Local, No. 29 State and No. 55 Garfield

Closest L stop: Green Line at 43rd Street, 47th Street, or 51st Street stations
Bus routes: 3, 4, 15, 29, 55, 47, 39

Station closures

The Belmont Blue Line station will be temporarily closed while workers begin construction that’s part of the CTA’s Your New Blue improvement project.

The station will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, August 10 until 4 a.m. Monday, August 13. Trains will still run on the Blue Line, and those going to O’Hare will bypass the Belmont station. There will be a bus shuttle service between the Belmont and Logan Square stations. Look for the shuttle on the southeast corner of Belmont and Kimball.

The Belmont Blue Gateway project will upgrade the platform with a new steel canopy, a more modern bus terminal and better signage.

Due to water main work at Belmont and Bernard, the No. 77 Belmont bus now takes a detour. For now, the westbound bus stop is located at the southwest corner of Kimball and Belmont.

Next week

For the week ahead, there’s a Smashing Pumpkins concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and Sam Smith plays 8 p.m. Wednesday at the United Center. The CTA will run the No. 19 United Center Express and extra service on No. 50 Damen and No. 20 Madison bus route. Then the Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field at 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Chicago transportation coverage [Curbed Chicago]