What are your thoughts on capping the Metra Electric tracks in Grant Park? (Chicago: fence, cost)

[OyCrumbler]

Pretty much the topic. Capping would usually be for more greenspace / public space. Right now the tracks are a level below the surface of the park in an open ditch.

[TBideon]

Would it be nice, of course.

Can it be properly funded, not on your life. Millennium Park cost $400 mill alone, and that was in 2000-2004 dollars.

[Robert9]

I love trains and would like to see them more, not less

[Manigault]

It would be about time! Those trains are electric so it would not be all that expensive.

[TheProf]

I haven't been over to Grant Park in many years, but I didn't know this to be an issue. There's plenty of green space in the park with wide areas of Frisbee-throwing grass, lounging areas and the amazing Buckingham Fountain. There is even ample recreational space for beach volleyball and a baseball field among others. Metra Electric's tracks are off to the side in a deep, relatively narrow trench well below eye level, largely screened off by trees, foliage or the low decorative concrete balustrade -- and, of course, given the fact that the trains are electric they make relatively little noise as opposed to rumbling diesel engines. I think planners did a great job (as they have done with all things Chicago for a century and a half) making the park large, accessible and pleasant for strollers. If anything, the tracks provide a bit of a buffer to busy, noisy, exhaust-bearing South Michigan Ave.

If anything, I would eliminate big wide S. Columbus Drive which cuts right through the heart of the Grant Park splitting it in half. Eliminate this, and perhaps some of the cross streets, and you'll have tons of contiguous green space. Although Columbus provides some scenic vistas, it is not essential and can be removed with little problem. Most visitors to the park don't drive and park in the immediate area, anyway -- they can't. Either they park in garages near or under the park or, I'm sure most, hoof it there or take public trans -- CTA, Metra, etc.

[CCrest182]

But how will teenagers hop the fence to get into Lollapalooza?

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by Robert9

I love trains and would like to see them more, not less

I’m not talking about eliminating trains. I love trains, too, and want to see more of them especially an electrified through-running Metra that operates like a S-Bahn or RER type system. I’m talking about putting a cap over the tracks that currently run a level below in an open ditch through a park—the trains would still run, but it would have a “cover” over the ditch that can be used as more park space.

[Robert9]

Originally Posted by OyCrumbler

I’m not talking about eliminating trains. I love trains, too, and want to see more of them especially an electrified through-running Metra that operates like a S-Bahn or RER type system. I’m talking about putting a cap over the tracks that currently run a level below in an open ditch through a park—the trains would still run, but it would have a “cover” over the ditch that can be used as more park space.

I know and that is why I said what I said. Small area or not I prefer having the train out in the open

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by TBideon

Would it be nice, of course.

Can it be properly funded, not on your life. Millennium Park cost $400 mill alone, and that was in 2000-2004 dollars.

This is a cap over not that wide of a gap which is a far cry from Millennium Park having to build over a wide set of terminal berths—it’s a very different and more limited engineering problem.

I would think that there would be an attempt to get philanthropic funding for this which is made easier given that it’s a project that can be broken up into several parcels. I’m curious as to how closely the open ditch for tracks was part of the original plan.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by Robert9

I know and that is why I said what I said. Small area or not I prefer having the train out in the open

Have you rode this stretch before? It’s open on top, but you’re actually below grade in a ditch and the stretch in Grant Park is short in terms of ride time. That being said, I do wonder if a durable transparent cap of sorts might be the ticket.