Quote:
Originally Posted by moorhosj1
The 95th station is the 4th most popular stop in the entire system (behind Red Line Chicago, Blue Line O'Hare, and Red Line Lake). That seems to imply there would be some demand for an extension from that terminus. Maybe there would be more demand to the west of 95th, but it seems clear by existing usage that there is demand in the area.
Also, this:
This sounds expensive in itself. It also doesn't increase access to the people who don't currently have it. Surely, the complaint would simply morph into "We are paying all this money for no additional lines or stops?" |
It's the 4th busiest stop because of the many busses that radiate out from there to all over the South Side. That wouldn't change with the Red Line extension. The proposed locations for the extended stations are in areas where almost nobody lives. The population density is closer to that of Naperville than it is North Center. For that density a bus is an appropriate transit solution, not a heavy rail line. And the idea that the extension would spur economic development in the area is a little far-fetched given the numerous existing stations that are surrounded by acres of empty fields (and are much closer to downtown).
If the options are Red Line Extension or
nothing then sure, build the thing. But there are so many better ways to spend the money, even on the South Side.
Not to mention the Metra Electric already serves the area in question with a direct rail connection to the Loop.... albeit with shit frequency. Spend money improving that service instead. It'll cost a fraction of the $3b+ the RLE will cost.
Extending the Green Line both east to Woodlawn (Obama Library) and west to Midway would serve far more people and improve system connectivity. Otherwise the best investments on the Southside revolve around Metra Electric improvements.