Should the CTA Build A Perimeter Subway Line? (Chicago, Cicero: neighbourhoods, construction)

[KevK]

At one time the layout of the CTA made sense. It was designed to bring people from the neighbourhoods to jobs and events in the Loop and take them back home. But times have changed since then and often people commute from city to suburb or even suburb to suburb. To do so on the CTA now requires a ride downtown on one line and a ride back out on another. What about the CTA building a "Perimeter Line" that could go around the city and connect all the stations from 95th to Evanston?

[chitown85]

Agree 100%

[Drover]

The "Circle Line" concept has been kicked around for the better part of two decades, maybe even longer. It's not a lack of desire that is stopping them, it's mostly cost and having very few clear rights-of-way available.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by Drover

The "Circle Line" concept has been kicked around for the better part of two decades, maybe even longer. It's not a lack of desire that is stopping them, it's mostly cost and having very few clear rights-of-way available.

Ya, but the circle line would be much smaller than what the OP is suggesting.

[oakparkdude]

The Mid-city transitway has been studied for years and may actually get built someday if the money is found for it. The right-of-way already exists which would decrease construction expenses.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

The Mid-city transitway has been studied for years and may actually get built someday if the money is found for it. The right-of-way already exists which would decrease construction expenses.

this this this this this so much. much more preferred to me than the Circle Line.

[BenCG]

Agreed on something like a Perimeter line being better than the Circle Line. The Circle line route does not branch that far out from the Loop.

The question is that how many people are going from train line to train line on a regular basis to use something like this? I grew up in Pittsburgh (city of three rivers) and there is a joke there that people never cross rivers so if you have a friend who moves to the other side of the river you will never see them. It seems like Chicago is similar in that I don't see friends who live on different lines than I do nearly as often.

A somewhat related comment: Bus Tracker has made taking the bus so much better. It is great to know the next bus is not coming for 20 minutes and then either kill some time or find a different route instead of spending 20 minutes looking down the road and wondering when the next bus is coming. It makes the need for a connecting Circle line less urgent.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by BenCG

Agreed on something like a Perimeter line being better than the Circle Line. The Circle line route does not branch that far out from the Loop.

The question is that how many people are going from train line to train line on a regular basis to use something like this? I grew up in Pittsburgh (city of three rivers) and there is a joke there that people never cross rivers so if you have a friend who moves to the other side of the river you will never see them. It seems like Chicago is similar in that I don't see friends who live on different lines than I do nearly as often.

If it was more convenient to do so people would take multiple lines. Kind of a chicken or the egg scenario.

[oakparkdude]

Airport shortcut gets a boost
Crosstown back from the dead - Chicago Tribune

Two more articles about the MCT.

[Visvaldis]

[quote=Drover;9843489]The "Circle Line" concept has been kicked around for the better part of two decades, maybe even longer. It's not a lack of desire that is stopping them, it's mostly cost and having very few clear rights-of-way available.[/QUOTE
Reminds of the idea of the Crosstown Expressway (Cicero Avenue converted to an expressway).
I think a subway as mentioned is a great idea, but making it all underground would cost enormous sums. Ground level would hamper traffic, and cause accidents at crossings. But maybe such a subway line could be built one section at a time. It's never too early to start.