Elgin-O'Hare Expressway Expansion

[HuskyCaucasian]

I know I am late to this story. But, construction started recently and I've been looking more into it. I cant begin to say how much I loath this. As someone who has grown up in the Schaumburg/Elk Grove area, I see no real need for this. I just watched this video that shows the "improvements" to the Thorndale/Rohlwing Rd/I-290 area. They are turning that area into a massive spaghetti interchange. Blah! I cant think of anyone I've ever taked to who lives out here who felt this was an important or worthwhile project.

 

Sorry, just needed to vent. I hate this whole project.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Athomeboy_2000

[NorthSideSox72]

I think it's a great project, with the way traffic is in that area. This was the original design anyway. I mean, as it stands now, the Elgin-O'Hare goes to neither Elgin nor O'Hare. Eventually, it will connect to the western highway around O'Hare.

 

[southsider2k5]

There is no doubt that this entire region needs more transportation routes. The ones they have are so overburdened it is ridiculous.

[NorthSideSox72]

There is no doubt that this entire region needs more transportation routes. The ones they have are so overburdened it is ridiculous.

I tend to agree, though I'd really like to see better rail build-out along with the roads. Both are needed, IMO, to make the most effective use of capital funds.

 

[StrangeSox]

I tend to agree, though I'd really like to see better rail build-out along with the roads. Both are needed, IMO, to make the most effective use of capital funds.

 

An inter-suburb Metra ring would be nice.

[mr_genius]

I know I am late to this story. But, construction started recently and I've been looking more into it. I cant begin to say how much I loath this. As someone who has grown up in the Schaumburg/Elk Grove area, I see no real need for this. I just watched this video that shows the "improvements" to the Thorndale/Rohlwing Rd/I-290 area. They are turning that area into a massive spaghetti interchange. Blah! I cant think of anyone I've ever taked to who lives out here who felt this was an important or worthwhile project.

 

Sorry, just needed to vent. I hate this whole project.

 

looks like a worth while project to me.

 

But what they really need to do is add an Irving Park exit from Northbound 294. Only have an exit from Southbound 294 is stupid and causes problems.

[NorthSideSox72]

An inter-suburb Metra ring would be nice.

That's been discussed for decades. Thing is though, because of a lack of rail and in some cases even right-of-way, it is an enormous cost to undertake.

 

I think in the current environment, Metra and CTA can focus on smaller projects with big potential gain. One example: Metra already has the UP-West line running to Elburn. Thing is, that same two-track segment goes west to DeKalb. DeKalb even has an old station depot in town. That is where NIU is, mostly Chicago area students, teachers who live in the west burbs... you have a ton of built-in passenger traffic there, no new rail to be put in, and only need to rehab an existing station. So very little cost involved. Seems a natural fit to do it. I think the only issue in that case is, DeKalb county isn't one of the counties within RTA funding, and that county may or may not want to get involved.

 

CTA Red Line extenstion, Yellow line extension are other examples of smaller ideas expansion-wise that could add more ridership and help reduce road congestion. Also would like to see CTA explore the express route to O'Hare, maybe by adding a third rail in places, to reduce the time of that trip. Not just for travellers and tourists, but also would encourage more people in the NW burbs to park and ride on the Blue Line, like at the Rosemont stop.

 

Find small wins for now.

 

[StrangeSox]

Connecting the CTA trains to Metra would be awesome as well, but not really possible

[StrangeSox]

Somewhat related to the "small victories where you can get them" is the Bloomingdale bike/walking trail conversion.

 

http://urbanland.uli.org/infrastructure-tr...-to-next-level/

[mr_genius]

CTA Red Line extenstion, Yellow line extension are other examples of smaller ideas expansion-wise that could add more ridership and help reduce road congestion. Also would like to see CTA explore the express route to O'Hare, maybe by adding a third rail in places, to reduce the time of that trip. Not just for travellers and tourists, but also would encourage more people in the NW burbs to park and ride on the Blue Line, like at the Rosemont stop.

 

I would rather see new rail lines for parts of the city that are totally with any CTA rail close to them, rather than extending the red or yellow line to the suburbs. but i guess that would cost a s*** load of money to add new subway tracks.

[NorthSideSox72]

Connecting the CTA trains to Metra would be awesome as well, but not really possible

 

There are places it could be done very easily. For example, the green line, just before it hits the loop goes literally right OVER the Ogilvie station tracks. I mean, all you need is a friggin stairwell. For that matter, there should be a tunnel between Union and Ogilvie.

 

Somewhat related to the "small victories where you can get them" is the Bloomingdale bike/walking trail conversion.

 

http://urbanland.uli.org/infrastructure-tr...-to-next-level/

 

I'm glad that is progressing, makes a nice bike commute connector between the Elston corridor (which has marked lanes) and Bucktown, Humboldt Park and beyond.

 

I would rather see new rail lines for parts of the city that are totally with any CTA rail close to them, rather than extending the red or yellow line to the suburbs. but i guess that would cost a s*** load of money to add new subway tracks.

 

Yeah, that's the big problem. Cost of putting in new subways is enormous.

 

Also, I don't think the Red Line is going to the suburbs - just further south parts of the city, that don't have rail right now.

 

[Jenksismyhero]

I can't even imagine the cost/legal fights that would be started for any rail expansion

[NorthSideSox72]

I can't even imagine the cost/legal fights that would be started for any rail expansion

Well, red line extension is already getting planned, and seems to be going over well. I think extending existing lines, especially where you already have a right-of-way or rail bed available, would go over pretty easily.

 

But putting in all-new lines in places where no right of way exists, yeah, that is a huge cost.

 

[StrangeSox]

There are places it could be done very easily. For example, the green line, just before it hits the loop goes literally right OVER the Ogilvie station tracks. I mean, all you need is a friggin stairwell. For that matter, there should be a tunnel between Union and Ogilvie.

 

It'd be nice to be able to take Metra in from the western suburbs to a central station and then easily transfer to the blue or red lines.

[NorthSideSox72]

It'd be nice to be able to take Metra in from the western suburbs to a central station and then easily transfer to the blue or red lines.

Well, as I said, you can do it to hook to the loop via Green line easily enough. That Clinton station is right there.

 

Red and Blue gets complicated, because of the distance and the river. But you could go Metra, to Green, to Red/Blue.

 

[Jenksismyhero]

It'd be nice to be able to take Metra in from the western suburbs to a central station and then easily transfer to the blue or red lines.

 

The blue line isn't TOO far away from union station. Couple of blocks. I don't see how it could get over to the red line without digging a tunnel.

 

Edit: and really you could just go metra to I think Clinton as NSS says to Jackson and catch the red line there. But now you're talking 20 minutes minimum probably if you don't have to wait for trains. Much faster just to get off at union and walk the 10 minutes over to the red line.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Jenksismybitch

[mr_genius]

It will be interesting to see how the Ashland BRT line works out (they are still doing that right?). They are gonna eliminate of two vehicle travel lanes (one lane in each direction) to accommodate the line. Oh, also, no more left turns. Might cause more problems than it fixes.

Edited January 3, 2014 by mr_genius

[StrangeSox]

Chicago could also use an app like San Francisco has that tells you exactly how to get from where you are to where you want to go using public transportation based on schedules, fares and time.

[Jenksismyhero]

Chicago could also use an app like San Francisco has that tells you exactly how to get from where you are to where you want to go using public transportation based on schedules, fares and time.

 

Google and/or the CTA website doesn't do this for you?

[StrangeSox]

Google and/or the CTA website doesn't do this for you?

 

SF's works like Google Maps in that it knows your current position. It also knows every possible form of public transportation, its cost, and whether its currently running on schedule or not. It can tell you how to take multiple modes of public transportation to get from A to B in real time, and it's as easy as using Google Navigate on your phone instead of having to go to a website. As far as I know, there isn't something comparable for Chicago.

 

http://tripplanner.transit.511.org/mtc/XSL...ST2?language=en

[southsider2k5]

Somewhat related to the "small victories where you can get them" is the Bloomingdale bike/walking trail conversion.

 

http://urbanland.uli.org/infrastructure-tr...-to-next-level/

 

Bike trails are nice and all, but today is a perfect example of how narrowly focused they are. They are pretty much worthless for 2-3 months a year.

[NorthSideSox72]

Bike trails are nice and all, but today is a perfect example of how narrowly focused they are. They are pretty much worthless for 2-3 months a year.

Bike LANES don't have so much of that problem, as long as they are cleared. And they could do the same for trails if they so chose.

 

Reality is though, most riders use public transit or other options during the harshest winter days. And that won't change much in Chicago.

 

One thing that I think is interesting bike route-wise, is that the City of Chicago has an ordinance that states, anyone who purchases or substantially improves a property along either branch of the Chicago River, is required to put in and maintain a paved walking/biking trail along their section of the river. The idea is that, this is cheaper than the city coming through and building it out. The bad news is, it could take 100 years before most of it is complete. At some point, they should look to complete the job themselves. if they they cleared it for snow like they do roads, you'd have a really nice set of arterial bike routes in and out of downtown, away from the dangers of car traffic. Would help everyone involved.

 

As it stands now, there are few actual "trails" in the city for bikes.

 

[bmags]

Bike LANES don't have so much of that problem, as long as they are cleared. And they could do the same for trails if they so chose.

 

Reality is though, most riders use public transit or other options during the harshest winter days. And that won't change much in Chicago.

 

One thing that I think is interesting bike route-wise, is that the City of Chicago has an ordinance that states, anyone who purchases or substantially improves a property along either branch of the Chicago River, is required to put in and maintain a paved walking/biking trail along their section of the river. The idea is that, this is cheaper than the city coming through and building it out. The bad news is, it could take 100 years before most of it is complete. At some point, they should look to complete the job themselves. if they they cleared it for snow like they do roads, you'd have a really nice set of arterial bike routes in and out of downtown, away from the dangers of car traffic. Would help everyone involved.

 

As it stands now, there are few actual "trails" in the city for bikes.

 

Sounds like Denver.

 

There obviously is LSD trail for the N/S riders, and the west now has Kinsey. It's getting better, but Milwaukee and Elston should be converted. Elston is great but the road sucks, popped tires galore.

[bmags]

Bike trails are nice and all, but today is a perfect example of how narrowly focused they are. They are pretty much worthless for 2-3 months a year.

That project is more than bike trail, it will lead to nice foot traffic for surrounding businesses and a boost in home values. It was unused land, absolutely a worthwhile project with minimal upkeep, unlike a road.

[DukeNukeEm]

Couldn't they have just laid track on the median of 294 for a Metra ring route? No NIMBY's (294 is louder than any train), no bulldozing anything (its already been bulldozed) and its a direct bypass to 294's delightful little brand of hell. Its a natural choice.