Will Chicago ever build a new rail line? (Rockford, Aurora: area, map)

[urbanlife78]

I am sure this has been asked before, but I didn't see it in the history, but I am bored and with some free time, so I am curious will Chicago ever build a new rail line? (and would it be within the next 50yrs)

I love the system there, but whenever you look at it on a map over the city boundaries it looks like there is room from more expansion of it to the north, west, and south.

[pvande55]

Are you talking Metra or the CTA? Metra had plans for the STAR line from O'Hare west around to Aurora. Good plan. Even got federal funding, but the State and Metra dropped the ball. The CTA had another good idea, the Circle line, which would have helped passengers to go crosstown while easing congestion in the loop. But two that might get built: Orange Line extension to Ford City and Red line extension to 130th St.

[urbanlife78]

I was referring to CTA, but it is good to see Metra expanding, which I think is a great system for Chicagoland.

[Midwest Revival]

I do remember hearing about expansions to current rail lines, such as the Red Line further south. Also, There has been talks about expanding Metra's North Central line to Rockford. Oh let me add to Pvande55, I dont think the STAR line will happen in the next 30 years. I think we will most likely see a Southeast Service line. The Southeast Service Line(Metra) would service coumminites such as Chicago Height,Dolton,South Holland, and Crete. We must not forget that our state is DEAD BROKE, so I doubt any of these projects will happen this decade.

[pvande55]

I have to agree that for political reasons the Southeast line has a better chance of being built. Extension to Rockford, and I believe the Milwaukee West is a better candidate, seems remote.

[japster28]

CTA has plans to build an "outer loop" in order to serve our expanded CBD. I think it'll cover parts of Near North, West Loop, and maybe South Loop. They're doing this also to serve popular destinations like Navy Pier, Michigan Ave etc. As they lack L stops. I think this would be really good actually, because they always came off as lacking in the downtown area even with our current Loop.

The outer loop would also be underground. I think an elevated wouldn't be too pretty...but thats me

[Dream Chaser]

^Sounds like a plan

[Alacran]

Not in our lifetime.

[css9450]

Originally Posted by pvande55

Are you talking Metra or the CTA?

LOL My first thought when I read the original post, was whether he meant a new freight rail line...

[SCCP]

I expect to see a Circle Line in my lifetime... but that supposes that I don't die within the next decade.... haha...

Modest expansions of existing lines are likely in the near future.

A CTA/Metra fusion with direct connections and common fees would be nice... consider, for example, the Metra's Southeast/South Shore branch (I forget the Metra line name) covering a lot of area that Red and Green miss. But that's a far-out-if-ever plan.