Do you think the EL will ever be expanded or new lines added? (Chicago: live in, shopping center)

[chirack]

I know that at least sections of the loop have been rebuit. Not sure about how bad the purple line is after howard. The CTA tends to wait until crisis point. I used to ride the green line before it was rebuit and I would say that it was in very bad condition before the rebuild.

[Avengerfire]

Some parts of the Red Line have already been rebuilt in the past ( some in the recent past or not quite done yet ) like Fullerton,Belmont,Addison,Loyola,Howard...

I fail to see how rebuilding the rest of the stations on the Howard Branch of the Red Line would cost more than extending the Red Line on the far south side.

[chirack]

Rebuiding a station probably not so expensive. I was thinking about rebuilding the structure. The concrete embankment does not look too studry in places.

As for extending the line. I think it is needed. The 95th street station is extremely crowded and it is strange that the south end of the line does not make it to the city border forcing lots of people to cacth slow busses. For the red line atleast it is a good thing.

For the orange line, not so sure. It is probably the easiest and cheapest to extend, and it was originally supposed to terminate at ford city, but I don't understand the draw of terminating it there.

For the yellow line it is about time. I know how far it once went and think that it could give the burbs better transit options.

[scarletneon]

yes they will have to rebuild the ENTIRE THING. not just the stations
the concrete embankments are certainly not as strong as the steel structure south of Lawrence.

the line in Evanston is terrifying to look at from the ground.

[icebergsyndrome]

Originally Posted by chirack

For the orange line, not so sure. It is probably the easiest and cheapest to extend, and it was originally supposed to terminate at ford city, but I don't understand the draw of terminating it there..

It's not about Ford City's draw, it's about the fact that a stop at 76th st. also is a situation like the red line extension where it brings the line closer to city limits and spares riders long bus rides. Also, the congestion around Midway airport (what with it being an airport and all) can make transferring from buses terminating there a little bit of a pain. Maybe it WILL revitalize the mall itself but that is really inconsequential in the overall scheme.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

yes they will have to rebuild the ENTIRE THING. not just the stations
the concrete embankments are certainly not as strong as the steel structure south of Lawrence...

I can believe that.

I still do not think rebuilding the concrete structure and stations would cost more than the extension.

What do you think nerdy?

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

the line in Evanston is terrifying to look at from the ground.

are you talking about the elevated portion at Dodge or the below grade areas to the east?

[edsg25]

I would be interested in knowing what the real need being served by bringing the yellow line up to Old Orchard. Will it in some way aid those far north siders in places along the red line in Edgewater and Rogers Park from heading to Old Orchard (seems like a trip downtown wold be just as easy)? Is it to bring commuters easier access to getting into the city (seems Metra stations in Evanston, Wilmette, and Glenview and CTA service in Evanston and Wilmette have that one covered well).

It's not that I would argue about rapid transit expansion. But I do question expansion on the fringes which opens up very little to new connections in areas where rapid transit is massively used. Lines added within the city of Chicago pay the biggest dividends.

What exactly does northern Skokie offer to those not there and what isn't offered to the people in northern Skokie through yellow line service at Dempster (and also coming to Oakton) and Metra in those three surrounding communities??????????

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by edsg25

I would be interested in knowing what the real need being served by bringing the yellow line up to Old Orchard. Will it in some way aid those far north siders in places along the red line in Edgewater and Rogers Park from heading to Old Orchard (seems like a trip downtown wold be just as easy)? Is it to bring commuters easier access to getting into the city (seems Metra stations in Evanston, Wilmette, and Glenview and CTA service in Evanston and Wilmette have that one covered well).

It's not that I would argue about rapid transit expansion. But I do question expansion on the fringes which opens up very little to new connections in areas where rapid transit is massively used. Lines added within the city of Chicago pay the biggest dividends.

What exactly does northern Skokie offer to those not there and what isn't offered to the people in northern Skokie through yellow line service at Dempster (and also coming to Oakton) and Metra in those three surrounding communities??????????

There are several bus lines that already serve old orchard (5 or so.) These bus lines carry many reverse commuters to their place of employment in skokie.

Also, I had to laugh at your assertion that getting to downtown from Rogers Park and Edgewater is easier than going to Skokie. If they expand the line out to Old Orchard that will be a much easier trip out that way from Rogers Park.

[paytonc]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I still do not think rebuilding the concrete structure and stations would cost more than the extension.

Not quite apples to apples here. Reconstruction will require two things that the line extension won't:
1. the line stays open during construction; it's difficult to imagine the Red Line being shut for two years like the Green Line was
2. much more constrained setting, with little room for materials staging, equipment, etc.

#1 might be addressed by shutting down the Purple Line Express for several years while half the structure is rebuilt, then the other half. In any case, though, rebuilding the North Side Main (which is indeed very much needed) will make 2007's three-track look like a walk in the park.