The I-55 Bridge? (Chicago, Naperville, Detroit: appointed, high school, to live in)

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by Attrill

Ummm...no. That is known as using airspace. It is pretty common. Besides, what makes the bridge across Lake Michigan idea stupid is weighing the need for it against the expense. The need is not that great (if it is needed at all) and the expense is immense.

Even if there was a huge need to get people across the lake all the time there are much better and cheaper ways to do it. A fleet of hydrofoil ferries or hovercraft could be purchased for a fraction of the cost of a bridge that long.

And let's not forget something, here. The big gripe is that there's too much traffic on 80/94, making the drive from the SW side to SE Michigan very long. Well, the proposed route of this bridge would mean driving from SW suburbs, THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN AMERICA, over a bridge across a giant lake...

Furthermore, the gridlock on 80/94 is currently exacerbated by construction. As those projects wrap, things will improve. Funneling more cars through downtown Chicago will never be a good idea. The bridge doesn't even enter into the picture for me.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

And let's not forget something, here. The big gripe is that there's too much traffic on 80/94, making the drive from the SW side to SE Michigan very long. Well, the proposed route of this bridge would mean driving from SW suburbs, THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN AMERICA, over a bridge across a giant lake...

Furthermore, the gridlock on 80/94 is currently exacerbated by construction. As those projects wrap, things will improve. Funneling more cars through downtown Chicago will never be a good idea. The bridge doesn't even enter into the picture for me.

That's very true - and how much traffic would actually be taken off of 80/94 by this? In my experience the traffic seems to lighten after 65, 90, and 80 break off. The bridge would be too far north for a lot people currently using 80/94.

[long101]

I cant believe this thread has gone on this long! Give the guy a break it was just an idea, a horrible idea at that, but none the less an idea. How about an L over the lake? I dont know what color it would be since we already have a blue line.

[oakparkdude]

Why not a monorail? Well, sir, there's nothing on earth like a genuine, bona fide,electrified, six-car Monorail! What'd I say?

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Why not a monorail? Well, sir, there's nothing on earth like a genuine, bona fide,electrified, six-car Monorail! What'd I say?

I dunno.

I hear those things are awfully loud...

[oakparkdude]

Actually, it glides as softly as a cloud.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Is there a chance the track could bend?

[oakparkdude]

Not on your life, my Chicago friend.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Well, I suppose that settles it.

That monorail... and this bridge... are clearly Chicago's only choice.
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!

[oakparkdude]

Monorail!!!