Quote:
Originally Posted by ardecila
I used to ride the UPNW and commuted from Clybourn every day for two years.
The segment between Clybourn and Ogilvie is only four tracks (one track pair for each line), and virtually every train on UP-W and UP-NW stops at Clybourn. There seems to be no reason you couldn't downsize Clybourn to four platform tracks from the current five.
Make the platforms a little higher to speed up the boarding/alighting process, and build full-length platforms to handle even the longest express trains so that people don't waste time shuffling between cars.
After that, it's just a mathematical exercise squeezing four platform tracks, two 15' island platforms, and one freight spur track into the available 100' right-of-way. If UP relocates their access road and tower, it frees up another 30' overall, which can be used to double the platform width to the global standard of 30' - plenty for ramps, elevators, shelters, etc.
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Go take another look. There is a fifth track that serves express runs on the UPNW. It gives us a third platform. Even if the entire third platform was off the ROW, what part of my list was wrong. They still have to move all the tracks and the switches, still have to widen the embankment and they still have to build a new viaduct.
And how does this benefit Metra? That station is heavily used as it sits. In fact it generates more rides than the entire Heritage Corridor. They might shave a minute in boarding time, but that don't mean shit on an hour and a half run.
Certainly it is possible, If Sterling Bay wants to pay for it, fine. But so far, they haven't committed one red cent.
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