Quote:
Originally Posted by orulz
Why is a new viaduct and billions of dollars needed?
Spreading out some ground-level tracks to make room for a platform and excavating an underpass shouldn't cost billions, even if a few switches have to be rebuilt. Especially since there is about 75 feet between the Kennedy viaduct and the westernmost track, which leaves plenty of room for efficient phasing without minimal service disruption.
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The tracks aren't at ground level and the space to the Xway is a cliff.
To spread the tracks enough for the three platforms needed you will need 150 feet of flare at each end, minimum. Probably needs 300 ft considering passenger comfort. So 600ft plus 500ft of platform. 1100 ft times 5 active tracks (ignoring the siding and the possibility of adding express on the UPN), that's a mile of track.
Since the switch yard is in that spot, another mile will need to be relaid.
The embankment will also need to be widened and relaid.
The platforms can't start til 300ft from the Cortland/Ashland viaduct and passengers will need access them. They can go over the trains (four elevators) or under them in a new viaduct (three elevators) which would have the added advantage of cutting the 606 extension cost in half.
Am I up to a billion yet?
Quote:
Originally Posted by orulz
While we're at it, modernizing Metra would also be the best way to bring high capacity transit access to this area. This would mean electrifying the UPN and running a train every 10 minutes all day, and adding infill stations (including one between here and Ogilvie.) That would be a worthwhile use of a billion dollars.
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That's a noble goal, but somebody's got to pay for it.
The Feds aren't manning up, and I don't see Sterling Bay doing this out of pocket.