The Des Plaines railroad ordeal. (Chicago, Elgin: airport, moving, train)

[pvande55]

Long freight trains have a way of really clogging traffic. In Chicago itself not a big issue since the City long ago got most railroads to elevate their tracks. But in the suburbs they can really be a problem. I submit that the worst (at least in the NW suburbs) is Des Plaines. Take a ride down York/Elmhurst Road. You will find a roughly parallel busy freight railroad, and no way to get under it for seven miles from Irving Park to Golf Rd. True, the airport blocks the southern four miles, but that just means through traffic has to go north or south. While you can fly over it on I-90, that requires a toll and you can't get off until Cumberland. I heard a proposal a few years back for a Touhy Avenue underpass but have no idea where it is now. Some other idea for underpass at Dempster or Algonquin, never got past the talking stage. Freight trains generally don't run there during rush hour, at other times you take your chances. Having a railroad that acts like a Chinese wall in the middle of a city of 50,000 is insanity. Or at least poor transportation planning.

[BOBNCHI]

"Last edited by pvande55; 12-27-2021 at 07:09 PM.. Reason:
Speling
Love it!

Maybe some infrastructure funds will go towards it.....don't bet on it though.

[GWoodle]

Originally Posted by pvande55

Long freight trains have a way of really clogging traffic. In Chicago itself not a big issue since the City long ago got most railroads to elevate their tracks. But in the suburbs they can really be a problem. I submit that the worst (at least in the NW suburbs) is Des Plaines. Take a ride down York/Elmhurst Road. You will find a roughly parallel busy freight railroad, and no way to get under it for seven miles from Irving Park to Golf Rd. True, the airport blocks the southern four miles, but that just means through traffic has to go north or south. While you can fly over it on I-90, that requires a toll and you can't get off until Cumberland. I heard a proposal a few years back for a Touhy Avenue underpass but have no idea where it is now. Some other idea for underpass at Dempster or Algonquin, never got past the talking stage. Freight trains generally don't run there during rush hour, at other times you take your chances. Having a railroad that acts like a Chinese wall in the middle of a city of 50,000 is insanity. Or at least poor transportation planning.

Maybe an answer will come with the east end of the Elgin O'Hare with toll ring around west edge of O'Hare. Project may include access into the airport.

Actually a bigger concern should be along the UP-West and BNSF lines. Elevated track stops at west edge of city. Now probably need it to go past DuPage county.

[ChicagoMeO]

I've seen worse railroad crossings where the trains eff up the traffic over in Elmhurst, Wheaton, and along that area. One time getting off the Metra in Lombard, just as the Metra train i was on entered the Lombard station, here comes a long long freight train, AND going slow and decides to stop therefore blocking York Road. so my car is across the track from there on the other side. so i waited about 15 minutes, got tired of it, so i walked down the stairs, cut across the street and had to walk up the stairs on the other side and when i got there, the freight train was still NOT moving, and still blocking York Road there. fortunatately that road along side the Lombard station was there so that i could get across since now the train track was up above on an ovepass.. i estimate it was about 45 minutes or more that freight train was stopped alongside york Road. thats the worst.