Do you think the EL will ever be expanded or new lines added? (Chicago: renting, taxi)

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Personally, I like my proposed alignment better than the old Westchester line, because it connects to Loyola, a huge job site. Plus, much of the old ROW for the Westchester line south of the Ike doesn't exist anymore without using extensive eminent domain.

It looks like it started at 25th, ran west to Manheim, and then south down Manheim to Cermak Rd.

Chicago ''L''.org: Operations - Lines -> Westchester branch

I've tried my tail off to see where down Manheim it ran. I can't see it. It's very built up on Manheim from I-290 to Cermak. So you're right, it would probably take a lot of land, including residential property, to reinstate it. And it would miss that large medical job site of Hines/Loyola.

The branch itself, south of Bellwood, simply fell into disuse and the rails, stations, and other infrastructure were eventually removed. However, there are several remnants of the Westchester branch in Bellwood and Westchester. Although there is nothing as obvious as tracks or stations, there are numerous places where the path of the right-of-way is still clearly evident because of unusual linear open spaces, the path of telephone poles, or the way other infrastructure is placed to accommodate the long-gone line. For instance, the bridge that took the Illinois Central's Iowa Division over the branch is still present, although part of the passage underneath has been filled in. In addition, Roosevelt Road has a odd rise in it west of Westchester Boulevard, where it once went up and over the "L" tracks. Rather than re-level the street, the viaduct was simply filled in, leaving the profile intact.

The current occupant of location of the Mannheim/22nd station is the Mid-America Bank in Westchester.

[APPLEI]

"Orange Line extension south of Ford City, maybe to Orland Square?"

How far is Orland Square from Ford City?
It sound like a cool idea to me
I would love to extend the Pink Line to the Brookfield Zoo

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by APPLEI

"Orange Line extension south of Ford City, maybe to Orland Square?"

How far is Orland Square from Ford City?
It sound like a cool idea to me
I would love to extend the Pink Line to the Brookfield Zoo

My proposed Pink Line extension could give you an express bus to the Zoo from the 1st Ave./Cermak stop. It would be 3-5 minutes from there. I doubt we could justify building a rail line to it, unless you wanted to take part of the Riverside Golf Club or some residential properties in Broadview.

[oakparkdude]

Looks like the Westchester line ran from FP along what is now the Prairie path then turned south along Marshall, then thru what is now Gladstone park, then down a ROW just east if Balmoral to terminate ar Cermak.

Originally Posted by BRU67

It looks like it started at 25th, ran west to Manheim, and then south down Manheim to Cermak Rd.

Chicago ''L''.org: Operations - Lines -> Westchester branch

I've tried my tail off to see where down Manheim it ran. I can't see it. It's very built up on Manheim from I-290 to Cermak. So you're right, it would probably take a lot of land, including residential property, to reinstate it. And it would miss that large medical job site of Hines/Loyola.

The branch itself, south of Bellwood, simply fell into disuse and the rails, stations, and other infrastructure were eventually removed. However, there are several remnants of the Westchester branch in Bellwood and Westchester. Although there is nothing as obvious as tracks or stations, there are numerous places where the path of the right-of-way is still clearly evident because of unusual linear open spaces, the path of telephone poles, or the way other infrastructure is placed to accommodate the long-gone line. For instance, the bridge that took the Illinois Central's Iowa Division over the branch is still present, although part of the passage underneath has been filled in. In addition, Roosevelt Road has a odd rise in it west of Westchester Boulevard, where it once went up and over the "L" tracks. Rather than re-level the street, the viaduct was simply filled in, leaving the profile intact.

The current occupant of location of the Mannheim/22nd station is the Mid-America Bank in Westchester.

[oakparkdude]

Oh forgot to mention. IDOT is currently planning reconstruction of the Ike with possible widening. As part of the alternative analysis phase, they are supposedly looking at mass transit expansion as an alternative to widening. Theoretically, they could spend the money on blue line extension instead of widening, especially if OP residents are successful in obstructing Ike expansion. Will it happen? I doubt it, but at least there is a feasible funding source.

[cubssoxfan]

In addition to the suggestions already mentioned.
A north south line through densely populated inner ring western suburbs connecting O'Hare & Midway with connections to the Metra lines it crosses. Extension of Blue line to connect with this outer ring line in the Western Suburbs. A north south connector running along Cicero, perhaps using the abandoned tracks infrastructure.

[SJaye]

A quick question for those proposing extensions to Woodfield, Orland Square, Hawthore, etc.... How long do you think it would take to hop on a CTA line at those particular locations and get downtown? Not trying to be a nay-sayer here, but it already takes 45-50 min. from O'Hare downtown, and arguably longer from the Skokie Swift when connection is made to the red line. I just don't think people are going to want to do it. I know I am NEVER going to hop on a CTA train that makes stops at the frequency it does to get all the way out to one of these three malls!
These particular malls need more weekend (when people shop) METRA service, and shuttle busses that simply run to the nearest METRA stations (which are probably Arlington Park, Tinley Park 80th Ave., and Lake Forest, when non-weekend service on certain lines are considered). Woodfield already has it's holiday season trolley system that takes people to IKEA, Roosevelt U, etc.

[vic the trader]

It's only a matter of time before the red-line hits 115th St. IMO.

[chirack]

Originally Posted by SJaye

A quick question for those proposing extensions to Woodfield, Orland Square, Hawthore, etc.... How long do you think it would take to hop on a CTA line at those particular locations and get downtown? Not trying to be a nay-sayer here, but it already takes 45-50 min. from O'Hare downtown, and arguably longer from the Skokie Swift when connection is made to the red line. I just don't think people are going to want to do it. I know I am NEVER going to hop on a CTA train that makes stops at the frequency it does to get all the way out to one of these three malls!
These particular malls need more weekend (when people shop) METRA service, and shuttle busses that simply run to the nearest METRA stations (which are probably Arlington Park, Tinley Park 80th Ave., and Lake Forest, when non-weekend service on certain lines are considered). Woodfield already has it's holiday season trolley system that takes people to IKEA, Roosevelt U, etc.

CTA service is more than just to downtown. It would enable easier access from different parts of the city or better access with in each burb that it runs.

The CTA can run express trains or return A/B Service or instead of using the red line to the loop use the purple line(it is faster). CTA is set up for more frequent local access.

Metra is set up for mostly downtown access. Extending the lines would allow someone to get from say Lincoln park to Orland square without having to go downtown first.

[AmosBanks]

There is a big space between E/W I-94 after 95th Street. I don't know if that's still considered Dan Ryan or if it's the start of Bishop Ford. They could lay track all the way to Stony Island & 103rd before having to build bridges dig tunnels. I don't know how it would go south after that.