Here are the simple steps needed to make Chicago's transit system world-class

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by TransitEngr

2. A Red Line station at 16th is simply impossible. The grade is far too steep to place a station platform here. If a 0.00% grade platform (required by CTA design guidelines) were to be built here, it would require completely rebuilding the Red line from very far south of Chinatown way north into the loop. But, I will tell you, I worked on a VERY preliminary plan to create something called "The Red Line ByPass". Because of previous plans to run Circle Line trains in the Red Line subway (a.k.a. State Street subway, and again, the Circle Line is on hold indefinitely) my consulting firm was hired to figure out a way to re-route some (but not all) of the red line trains out of the state street subway. The solution is REALLY cool. South of the North/Clyborn stop there would be a split. Red line trains would then either run through the state street subway, or they would run underneath Clinton Street through the West Loop Transportation Center, and then continue south under Clinton, have a Roosevelt subway stop, and then quickly rise up cross over the existing freight railroad bridge over the Chicago river and then dip back down to go underneath the Riverside neighborhood. And yes, one of the three alternatives I helped create would have a subway stop serving that new neighborhood, as you mentioned above. This bypass would then tie into the existing red line after it levels off near the Chinatown stop. Once again, just as a disclaimer, this was all preliminary, and was created to solve the congestion that would have been created if the circle line was ever built.

That red line extension into a future Clinton Street Subway was mentioned in the Chicago Central Area Plan when they were discussing the WLTC, which would tie Ogilvie and Union Stations together and a Clinton Street Subway that would complete an underground subway loop for downtown. I think extending it south like that and tying it into the current red line, or even orange line, would be a wonderful idea. Even better though would be having it swing over to the west a bit and follow a route along Halsted Street south into Bridgeport, where they'd have subway/el access as well.

Having that Clinton Steet Subway is very important for the future growth and expansion of downtown, and the West Loop is becoming a logical extension of the current Loop business district. That subway being there means that no block within the greater Loop, if any, would be more than a 3 block walk from any CTA el or subway line.

[XCRunner]

We keep talking about the cost involved in upgrading the CTA, but evidently there is enough cash to go around, what with the new stadum proposal. What we should do is upgrade the CTA to a point that it's so good, it will turn an enormous profit, then use that to build the stadium. I kid, I kid... it would cost much more than the $600 mill. to $1 bill. wanted for the stadium to make major improvements.

[TransitEngr]

Okay, so I'm finally back home in Chicago and I have that rare shit called "spare time."

I e-mailed folks about the Circle Line contract. A conceptual analysis contract was awarded to DMJM Harris and CTE (both AECOM companies). Their offices are over at 303 E. Wacker.

From one of the Freedom of Information Officers:
Mr. -----:

This is in response to your questions about contract number C03FR1745, for consulting services for the proposed Circle Line.

This contract has been awarded. It is my understanding that there is no information available on the timeframe for the project as this process has just started. It is also my understanding that there is no "alternatives analysis" yet as it is ongoing.

Very truly yours,
O. D.



Notice a few things:
She said this is not an "alternatives analysis"... so it's just CTE/DMJM Harris essentially working on the rough concept.

Here's info on the contract No. mentioned above:
7/23/2004 award date
$2,400,468.00 contract fee



Now... here's the big question. I heard recently through a very good source that this contract was ENTIRELY put on hold. If this is true, there must have been some sort of stipulation in the contract that would allow the client to do that.

So my question to anyone/everyone is.... Has the contract indeed been put on hold? Does anyone have any idea of when the contract will be re-authorized?

[XCRunner]

Cool, thanks for the response. Very informative. Not sure about the contract though.

[TransitEngr]

From CTA's press release website:
http://www.transitchicago.com/news/c...ticleid=101316



04/13/06

Public Comment Next Step in Federal New Start Process

Chicago Transit Authority will hold public meetings next month to receive input on the proposed Circle Line project. The meetings are part of the Alternatives Analysis study—the first step in pursuing federal funding for major transit projects. The Alternatives Analysis study is designed to examine all the transit options available and determine a locally preferred alternative.

Meeting dates and venues are:

Tuesday, May 2, 2006
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
West Wing Auditorium
1852 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608

Wednesday, May 3, 2006
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Lincoln Park High School
Room 103
2001 N. Orchard Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Thursday, May 4, 2006
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
Molecular Biology Research Building
Room 1017
900 S. Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60607

All venues are accessible to people with disabilities.

The proposed Circle Line would link all of CTA’s rail lines and all of Metra’s lines in a study area bounded by 39th Street on the south, Fullerton Parkway on the north, Western Avenue on the west and Lake Michigan on the east, creating improved transit connections throughout the six-county region and helping to further ease traffic congestion and improve travel times.

DMJM+Harris, A Joint Venture, which specializes in transit/rail, highway and bridge, marine, aviation and energy infrastructures is conducting the Alternatives Analysis study. The Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program requires transit project proposals to proceed through a process of planning, design and construction. The FTA process consists of five formal steps: Alternatives Analysis, Environmental Impact Statement, Preliminary Engineering, Final Design and Construction.

[ardecila]

I like the way this thread has proceeded so far. The debate is intelligent, informed, and comprehensive. I was wondering why a similar thread hadn't been created, and then I see this.

I have several questions.

1 - what is the current status of the Skokie Swift/Yellow Line? What is the likelihood that any of the local stations will be reinstated? I think the chances for expansion here increased greatly when the overhead wires were removed.

2 - It's probably a far-out idea, but what do you think about extending the yellow line via new elevated track south along Cicero, connecting with the Blue Line and a Brown Line extension at Jefferson Park? (subway would be favored, but it's ridiculously expensive) This would allow people all along the Brown line, in Evanston, Skokie, and other such communities to have L access to O'Hare. Property losses would be reduced by the fact that it's Niles/Lincolnwood, so less density = less demolition.

3 - Is there an chance that the Kenwood line might be rebuilt? The embankment still remains for most of the length. The greenfields and urban blight there is tremendously sad. Poor people don't have to live in slums or projects. A rebuild here would kickstart some development, if Daley can encourage some TOD. Mixed-income would probably be heavily featured in any such development. The rebuilt line would also work nicely in tandem with any future Grey Line/Metra Electric improvements. Every lakeshore proposal I've heard raves about serving all the North side neighborhoods, but it doesn't mention the South side 'hoods except for Hyde Park, which is a shame. There's a lot of ground between McCormick Place and Hyde Park that often gets overlooked. This line would help a lot to serve that area.

[TransitEngr]

Originally Posted by ardecila

I like the way this thread has proceeded so far. The debate is intelligent, informed, and comprehensive. I was wondering why a similar thread hadn't been created, and then I see this.

I have several questions.

1 - what is the current status of the Skokie Swift/Yellow Line? What is the likelihood that any of the local stations will be reinstated? I think the chances for expansion here increased greatly when the overhead wires were removed.

2 - It's probably a far-out idea, but what do you think about extending the yellow line via new elevated track south along Cicero, connecting with the Blue Line and a Brown Line extension at Jefferson Park? (subway would be favored, but it's ridiculously expensive) This would allow people all along the Brown line, in Evanston, Skokie, and other such communities to have L access to O'Hare. Property losses would be reduced by the fact that it's Niles/Lincolnwood, so less density = less demolition.

3 - Is there an chance that the Kenwood line might be rebuilt? The embankment still remains for most of the length. The greenfields and urban blight there is tremendously sad. Poor people don't have to live in slums or projects. A rebuild here would kickstart some development, if Daley can encourage some TOD. Mixed-income would probably be heavily featured in any such development. The rebuilt line would also work nicely in tandem with any future Grey Line/Metra Electric improvements. Every lakeshore proposal I've heard raves about serving all the North side neighborhoods, but it doesn't mention the South side 'hoods except for Hyde Park, which is a shame. There's a lot of ground between McCormick Place and Hyde Park that often gets overlooked. This line would help a lot to serve that area.

I can't answer all of your questions, maybe someone else can help out. But I can help with the Yellow Line questions. My company just put in its proposal for the engineering/planning consulting for the "ROY" project. That's "Red", "Orange", "Yellow". The Red Line extension to 100something-th street, the Orange Line extension to Ford City Mall, and the Yellow Line Project. The Yellow Line project would include a few new stations along the existing alignment, plus an extension north to Old Orchard Mall. I'm a huge fan of this yellow line proposal, I believe it would boost ridership significantly, and it would help to get more people out of their cars and into trains and connecting Pace buses. Go Public Transit!

Again, be warned, these are planning and engineering projects. There are no guarantees they will be funded. The City isn't in good financial shape, the state is broke, and our country will likely be in Iraq for decades to come which will cost billions and billions. I'd be proud to work on these projects, but I'm pesimistic about funding.

However, with all of that said, if Chicago wins the 2016 Summer Olympics (to be determined in 2009) there could be a mad dash to design, build, and operate:
1. The Airport Express Rail System
2. The Carroll Ave. Transitway (Also known as The River Line)
3. The West Loop Transportation Center
4. The Cirlce Line
5. The Star Line (in the suburbs)
6. "ROY" (as mentioned above)
Money would hopefully be raised by some sort of bonding issue if Chicago wins the 2016 Olympics.

Check out: http://www.bettertransit.com/index.htm
if you haven't already done so.

[spyguy]

Hopefully some of those like the Circle line and probably Star will take care of themselves even before that. I like the ROY proposal too.

[ardecila]

I wasn't asking for official answers, just opinions from the people who post on this thread.

Also, I just noticed that if the Circle Line were built, and connected to the Green Line one stop further south, at Indiana instead of 35th/IIT, then the Kenwood Line could be rebuilt cheaply to extend the Circle to the lakeshore. Call me crazy, I dunno, but I think the CTA pull-out from the area was a major factor in its decline.

[VisionCasting]

To: TransitEngr

Am looking for experienced consulting civil engineer to assist in a preliminary passenger rail study for a metropolitan area in Indiana. This firm or individual must be:
1) a current INDOT prequalified consultant;
2) a civil engineer, preferably w/ active license in Indiana;
3) experienced in planning and designing transit rail systems, both light-rail and heavy-rail;
4) preferably experienced with RWT projects;
5) able to work confidentially, quietly and "below the radar" for a 6-month fast-track feasibility study;

Sir, do you meet these qualifications?
If not, can you recommend an individual or firm that does?

[krnboy1009]

Connecting Ogilve and Union Station to the rest of the metro system will do.

[dean43]

Where would we connect? Green line?

[GenericUser]

How about rebuilding/reconditioning the tracks in the loop. Unless of course, by "world class," the aim was a world class roller coaster. In which case, leave them as is

[HomrQT]

Serious money is required to make Chicago's transit system "world class" although it certainly is a large, well working system as a whole. First I think more of the lines need to be put underground to protect the stations themselves and make ridership more comfortable. Second, the loop itself is an inefficient way to change lines and a new exchange system needs to be implemented. Lastly, we without a doubt need more lines. My dream line would be one coming from south of downtown hugging the lake, running through downtown somewhere along millineum park, going through streeterville and continue north running along lincoln park until lincoln park ends.

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by GenericUser

How about rebuilding/reconditioning the tracks in the loop.

Almost finished.

[HomrQT]

Is there anybody in "the know", that is aware of current plans for line extensions or new lines in the Chicago area?

[Northsider]

Originally Posted by HomrQT

Is there anybody in "the know", that is aware of current plans for line extensions or new lines in the Chicago area?

http://www.transitchicago.com/news_i...g/default.aspx

Besides these?

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by Northsider

http://www.transitchicago.com/news_i...g/default.aspx

Besides these?

Wow, should have tried their site. =)

Those extensions look promising and that circle line proposal is the stuff dreams are made of, but it still doesn't look like we have concrete evidence of a new line hitting the city any time soon.

[Northsider]

Originally Posted by HomrQT

it still doesn't look like we have concrete evidence of a new line hitting the city any time soon.

Most likely no. The fad of BRT (bus rapid transit) has taken hold in Chicago.

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by Northsider

Most likely no. The fad of BRT (bus rapid transit) has taken hold in Chicago.

Here's a quick jot of fantasy lines I would throw down if we had a few billion $ to spare. (In Red) Not to scale, I'd love to see a line running along the west side of Lincoln park and cut through the eastern side of Streeterville.

image hosted on flickr

cta fantasy additions by HomrQT, on Flickr