True, which begs the question if you have to slog a 1000 foot + moveable sidewalk bridge connection ($$$ by itself) why not just end the extension with a superstation between the MD-N (with new stop) and a reactivated electrified Weber Spur to Lincolnwood and beyond. Two commuter rail and two rapid transit services in one station complex. A guy can dream.

Why coudln't suburban trains still be diesel (or dual-mode locomotives) while in-city trains would be EMU's? The suburban trains could run mostly express in the city.

Those larger diesel trains would be a major safety hazard running on the same tracks without temporal separation, let alone technical and engineering limitations to combining the technologies. That’s why you don’t see that any real world examples of this approach, that I know of. You’d either have to electrify the entire system or require commuter transfers at the edge of a centrally electrified system. Either way, that would require massive investment in the core to integrate the current termini into a functioning system.

It’d be more cost effective to:
(1a) build CTA extensions where logical: red-south, blue-west, orange, yellow & brown line extensions
(1b) change service structure to provide a better and more seamless system: inbound yellow line direct express service into the loop via the red line tunnel, plus other similar express arrangements on the south side
(1c) build new CTA lines where necessary by activating vacant rail beds, thru eminent domain, or cut/cap/subway: the circle line, Weber spur (nice suggestion, above poster), etc.
(2) build a supplementary light rail system for in-city medium density or redeveloping areas, designed to facilitate seamless passenger transfers to key CTA and Metra stations and in a way that can be upgraded easily for increased frequency later: Lincoln Yards, Portage Park / Dunning are seriously underserved.
(3) infill stations on Metra and CTA where needed
(4) bus rapid transit down key corridors
(5) complete streets (bike lanes, bus lanes, etc.) everywhere
(6) consolidate payment systems and fair rates. One ventra pass should qualify you for ALL of Metra, CTA, and Pace. Rather than the separated systems they have for them.

What are you talking about? Any electrification system would be overhead catenary. Diesel trains run under catenary all the time, including on the South Shore Line right here in Chicago. Or on the Northeast Corridor in New Jersey. There's no regulatory issue with installing an overhead power system on a diesel road - although freight railroads may want to ensure that double-stack container cars can fit under the wires, and some bridges over the tracks may need to be raised higher.

The temporal separation thing you're thinking of is not about power supply, but about crashworthiness. Most modern multiple-unit trains from foreign manufacturers - like the ones on NJ's RiverLine, or Texas' Cotton Belt - have an efficient, lightweight design to save energy and improve performance. However, FRA historically didn't want lightweight passenger trains running on the same tracks as uber-heavy freights... in the event of a crash, lightweight trains would get wrecked along with everybody inside them. So American commuter rail operators were forced to purchase heavy, inefficient locomotives and cars (whether diesel OR electric) that would hold up better in a freight collision.

BUT - FRA's policy has now changed. The Positive Train Control system being installed across the country drastically reduces the likelihood of crashes, so FRA will now issue waivers to any railroad that wants to run modern lightweight equipment - whether diesel OR electric. Caltrain in SF is currently installing an overhead catenary system AND plans to run modern, lightweight trains AND will mix them with UP freight trains at several points along the corridor.

Given my limited expectations of Metra's willingness to innovate they could buy ALP-45DPs and start electrification from the city terminals on out as funds and negotiations with the various railroads allow. That is of course separate from the Rock Island which Metra owns and could electrify at will provided they had the cash and desire.

I sincerely hope the recent profoundly encouraging decision to electrify by the Boston MBTA will serve as inspiration to the ye olde railroading culture at Metra.

Metra has never seemed all that interested in what the other commuter roads are doing that could apply to their own operation. I'm skeptical that will change a lot. I mean they were still trying to buy gallery cars for christ's sake until only one company responded to their request. I'm fully expecting to see the Caltrain ones riding our rails in a couple years when they start using EMUs.


https://i.imgur.com/5n40UjV.jpg?1

This could change with a generational shift in leadership at the agency — also public shaming.

Red painted bus lanes appearing in curb lanes around town! On Western in Bucktown, also I spotted them along Chicago Ave in River West.

This phase also includes some paint on 79th. The next phase, according to the Block Club article, will include parts of Halsted, Pulaski, 63rd, and Belmont.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/12...special-lanes/

https://blockclubchicago.org/wp-cont...49.jpeg?w=1024
src: Block Club

Going to need some on board camera enforcement for these things...

Which, as you know, requires a new state law. Good luck getting anything out of Springfield. It'll take at least a few more years, and more deployment of bus lanes, before there is any urgency in the State House on this matter. And even then it may require the city to trade out red-light cameras or speed cameras. Ideally all money raised from this ticketing goes toward maintenance of the existing bus lanes or creation of new ones.

Lightfoot hasn't been especially gung-ho about camera enforcement or ticketing generally, but she has expressed support for bus lane cameras at transportation forums.

I'm just amazed to see red paint at all, considering we are still in the grips of the insane parking meter deal...

Saw this yesterday in person. They also tricked out Milwaukee with green bike lanes. Looks v gentrified...

I'd probably trade out the red light cameras, not the speed cameras. If the city can get unlimited ability for on board enforcement it would be worth it. Putting the cash it raises back into more bus improvements seems like an easy sell.

Even with the POS meter deal the city has a fair amount of unmetered parking at its disposal that could offset taking out spots on the busiest bus corridors for enforced bus lanes.

Yea where did they relocate the parking? There are/were definitely metered spaces where those lanes are...

A small glimpse of what might have been :(

Most of Western between Montrose and 63rd doesn't have metered parking, only a bit in Lincoln square does and around Diversey. That particular stretch doesn't have metered parking for example. Ashland is mostly unmetered as well. Only near belmont and Ashland and in Wicker Park does Ashland have meters.

Here's the parking meter map.
https://map.chicagometers.com/

Wow could have sworn longer stretches than that, thats great. Wouldn't be that hard to piecemeal together stretches on other roads to make room for BRT on Ashland and Western...

I am loving the bus lanes.

Whats going on with the Damen green line station? Have they broken ground yet?

No.

...do you have any data as to when they may start ? I would use that station.:tup::tup: