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

[Smedskjaer]

Okay. So Chicago already has an extensive subway and El-line. Does Chicago want to expand its rail system though?

[Vlajos]

Yes it wants to, does it have the finances to do so? No.

[oakparkdude]

And a pony too!

[ole69]

With the problems Metra is having? Not likely

[Attrill]

The Red Line is being extended to the city's southern border and plans have been drawn up for a circle line, but no funding has been secured. Other than a few additional stations there are no big plans in the works.

[Vlajos]

I'm almost certain the Red Line extension is a plan, not real at this point. There's no money to pay for it. The Fed's funded some money for a study last year, that's it.

[Smedskjaer]

Can Chicago even grow without expanding the rail? Roads are hitting their capacity daily already. What will it look like in ten years?

[css9450]

Yeah, well, times are tough all over.

[DADASGIRL]

Its IDEAL - but unrealistic on many fronts. We are already ahead of many similarly populated cities in regards to public transit. Is it perfect - HECK NO! Plus the whole corruption/mis-management element is about as pleasant as a cold sore...but if you are car-free AND ambulatory, Chicago has transit options that work for the majority.

The 2nd piece to this crazy notion is that Chicago's major work epi-center are all those huge skyscrapers in the downtown area. LOL Most city dwellers & some suburban make the trek to this job jungle. The past decade has been spent making those areas closest to this epicenter attractive for those who wish to live closer to their work. For those who cant afford to live close to downtown, there are countless neighborhoods available to them with buses & trains that will get them to work in a timely fashion.

But alas - not all workers in the concrete jungle make big bucks. Lesser paid city folk persons may only be able to afford living in an area 45min to an hour away from the skyscraper central. Maybe thats whats causing the spark for MORE transportation. South of US Cellular - industries that were once bustling have gone - & it doesnt look like many corporations are dying to move in & take their place. Downtown is forever expanding - but other areas are not. I think most folks are accustomed to the layout of the city and know what they are in for if they take a job downtown. If your employment is based is the burbs - most simply move closer to that burb.

[Smedskjaer]

Originally Posted by DADASGIRL

Its IDEAL - but unrealistic on many fronts. We are already ahead of many similarly populated cities in regards to public transit. Is it perfect - HECK NO! Plus the whole corruption/mis-management element is about as pleasant as a cold sore...but if you are car-free AND ambulatory, Chicago has transit options that work for the majority.

The 2nd piece to this crazy notion is that Chicago's major work epi-center are all those huge skyscrapers in the downtown area. LOL Most city dwellers & some suburban make the trek to this job jungle. The past decade has been spent making those areas closest to this epicenter attractive for those who wish to live closer to their work. For those who cant afford to live close to downtown, there are countless neighborhoods available to them with buses & trains that will get them to work in a timely fashion.

But alas - not all workers in the concrete jungle make big bucks. Lesser paid city folk persons may only be able to afford living in an area 45min to an hour away from the skyscraper central. Maybe thats whats causing the spark for MORE transportation. South of US Cellular - industries that were once bustling have gone - & it doesnt look like many corporations are dying to move in & take their place. Downtown is forever expanding - but other areas are not. I think most folks are accustomed to the layout of the city and know what they are in for if they take a job downtown. If your employment is based is the burbs - most simply move closer to that burb.

So what really is needed are lines from the burbs to the down town areas?