The red line extensions funding from recent federal infrastructure bill

I'm sorry I missed this story about how the recent infrastructure bill which was signed by President Joe Biden into law would affect us in Illinois. Especially how it would affect the south side of Chicago, particularly this Red Line extension through Roseland into Altgeld Gardens.

From the Sun-Times:

President Joe Biden signed the historic $1 trillion infrastructure bill into law Monday, passing to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot — at the White House for the ceremony — the massive job of spending the billions in new money flowing to the city and state in the next five years.

For the first time, there will be a dedicated funding stream in the form of grant programs to make all transit and commuter rail stations in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, a legislative victory for the champion of the measure, Iraq War vet and double amputee Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.

Based on interviews with Lightfoot and Pritzker, expansion of the CTA Red Line from 95th to 130th Street, speeding up lead water pipe removal and rebuilding portions of the Eisenhower Expressway through Chicago and nearby suburbs, the I-190 turnoff near O’Hare Airport and I-80 in Will County have emerged as among the priority projects to be bolstered by the federal spending.

The federal funding will speed up some projects already in the works — removing lead water pipes in Chicago — jumpstart transit and highway projects stalled for years — while helping to bankroll large scale electric vehicle charging networks throughout the state.

Public transit expansion, lead pipe removal, expanding broadband internet access and creating a new support system for electronic vehicles are at the top of Lightfoot’s list.

Lightfoot said there “definitely” will be federal money to expand the CTA Red Line from 95th Street to 130th, though she had no timetable yet for the project.

A spokeswoman for Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., said at the White House he handed a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging him to support the Red Line South Side expansion to near the edge of the city.

“This transit desert disproportionately impacts Black residents, meaning that the early termination of the Red Line has considerable equity implications. This results in many of Chicago’s African American citizens literally being disconnected from the ‘mainland’ of the rest of the city. It reminds one of the ‘colony’ and the ‘motherland’ divides of a past time,” the Rush letter said.

Glad to see it's a priority for the mayor, however, no timeline yet to begin construction only that  the federal infrastructure money would be used to expand the red line. By expand hopefully she means starting construction, however, I want to see what else is out there by the mayor and governor regarding this extension,

CBS Chicago: CTA reduces some fares in new budget

 

[VIDEO] This has been in the news and since I like to cover transit related issues on this blog felt this was necessary to share. Riding CTA will be cheaper once the new budget is approved for 2022.

And get this transfers are free which in most parts of the country (for example Atlanta) you don't have to pay for transfers. How many of us remember before the days that you got someone tap for you to board a train that people used to beg for a paper transfer?

Also if you use passes they were reduced over the summer in an effort to encourage transit riders to return to using CTA. For next year those prices will remain in effect. For example a 7-day pass will now cost $20 as opposed to $28.

Oh and one thing I should've noted base fares will remain the same. $2.25 if you ride the L and $2.25 if you ride the bus and applicable especially if you use a Ventra card. Click this link if you want to see all current CTA fare information.

As of Monday Metra is hiring for 100 positions

 

[VIDEO] I've been meaning to share this with you all for a while, Metra is looking to hire for 100 positions for our region's commuter railroad. If you're a railfan at least this would be a great fit, hmmm it gets me to think because I like trains.

Either way you see above a story regarding this that aired over the past weekend on WGN and WBBM-TV noted this also. Applications are only accepted online through Metra's career page.

Metra's hiring is likely as a result of greater traffic being expected once things open up after over a year of coronavirus restrictions. We might be headed towards a bridge phase as soon as next week and after that hopefully society can begin to go back to some form of normal.

And again if you have any questions about the coronavirus vaccine ask a medical profession.

Tribune: CTA and Pace buses will begin collecting fares again, as riders slowly return to public transit

If you've gotten used to boarding the rear of a CTA bus during the course of this coronavirus pandemic, that time is ending. If you enjoyed avoiding paying your fare, especially for those of you who prefer to pay with cash as opposed to using a ventra card those days are about to end.

In another sign that things are getting closer to normal in the Chicago area, the CTA and Pace will start collecting bus fares again, and the CTA will end rear-door boarding.

The CTA will require customers to enter buses via the front door and pay fares starting Sunday, while the Pace suburban bus service resumes fare collections Monday.

Both agencies had waived fare collection as a way to protect operators and passengers from the coronavirus. But since the agency started rear-door boarding in April, the state and the agency have adopted other ways of keeping people safe, including providing masks for all drivers, requiring that passengers be masked, and implementing new cleaning technology, said CTA spokesman Brian Steele.

The agency limits the number of passengers on buses to no more than 15 people on a 40-foot bus and no more than 22 on a 60-foot bus. The CTA also has a ridership information dashboard on its website that shows when buses are the most crowded to help people choose a better time to travel.

Keith Hill, president of the bus drivers’ union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241, said his group agreed with the resumption of front-door boarding. Hill noted the CTA had agreed to increase the “standee line,” or how far passengers have to stand back from drivers, to more than six feet.

In addition to outdoor dining, opening the lakefront, even allowing businesses that provide such services as barbers, pedicures, tatoos, etc to reopen it's a start!

Starting Sunday, rear-door boarding on CTA buses will end. As we begin to welcome people back, riders will return to boarding at the front as we’ve taken many steps to provide the healthiest environment possible for customers and employees. Learn more: https://t.co/VDccvU5ct2 pic.twitter.com/SuRgcZfCwr

— cta (@cta) June 19, 2020

Today's coronavirus updates #COVID19

Today's report on coronavirus cases 673 new cases and now the statewide total is 2,528 cases with 7 more deaths reported and this time no information as far as location. If you click through the below link to CapFax we see a breakdown as far as ethnicity. I won't characterize this as very important, however, it's very interesting the percentage of those cases marked as "left blank".

673 new cases, 7 new deaths https://t.co/3inQeCB6mP

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) March 26, 2020

Anyway cases are now being reported in 37 of Illinois' 102 counties with Franklin and Tazewell now reporting coronavirus cases.

I also want to note that the city in a press conference today and no doubt you likely got an alert on your smartphones - iPhone and Android - that the Mayor has ordered the lakefront closed. The emphasis is on social distancing and avoid being in large groups and keep at least 6 feet away. [VIDEO]

How many of us depend upon the Dan Ryan?

[VIDEO] Well it's no big statement to say that the Dan Ryan Expressway is a major highway through Chicago's south side. Sometimes I wish we could have the traffic that currently runs on the expressway even during normal times.

We see artistmac doesn't see much dimished traffic on the expressway and notes some damage done on 47th by careless drivers.

CTA cleaning procedures #COVID19

[VIDEO] I already shared a tweet by CTA on March 12, 2020 with regards to their response to the coronavirus. At that point things haven't gotten bad enough where businesses and schools were closed and no stay-at-home order. I also noted that there were personnel at 95th Street where I'd get on the train who will work to wipe down some of the surfaces (seats and handrails) on the train with sanitizer.

I hate to note this but over the weekend it was in the news that a CTA bus driver had tested positive for the coronavirus. For those who do have to work to keep our public transit system running I hope that they will be very careful out there. Especially for those of us who work in essential businesses and depend upon the services provided by CTA.

For those of you who do depend on public transit, do you believe CTA is working dilligently to keep their vehicles and facilities clean for the general public? What do you think the CTA could do better to keep their vehicles and facilities clean?

CTA's response to coronavirus

I've witnessed this one morning on my commute to work on the CTA Red Line a worker at least on the head car wiping down seats and hand rails. CTA is showing us their response to the coronavirus which has caused the cancellation of the downtown St. Patrick's Day parade.

Read more about CTA's response below. And I'm glad to know there will be no drastic changes to service as authorities continue to deal with the outbreak. Good for those who depend on public transit.

Our crews continue to work all hours of the day to ensure trains, buses and stations are cleaned and disinfected daily.

Learn more on what we’re doing at: https://t.co/ZiZcINrAHf pic.twitter.com/DHo6wYGiO4

— cta (@cta) March 11, 2020

In the state so far there have been 25 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Illinois. It was in the news that a CPS employee was one of those 25 confirmed cases. I hope everyone take whatever precautions you can I've heard wash your hands the most among other things as far as avoiding this virus.

Be careful out there has been quite the operative term on this blog as of late.

South Halsted corridor enhancements

[VIDEO] The reason I'm sharing this is that any opportunities we have to improve transportation on the south side is worthwhile whether we have bus rapid transit on Halsted or we extend the CTA Red Line further south.

The video above is of a recent meeting about bus rapid transit by Pace Bus and CTA on South Halsted St. Block Club Chgo got more on this.

South Side commuters got their first glimpse at proposed changes coming to the South Halsted Bus Corridor during last week’s public meeting at Woodson Public Library.

Transit officials from the Chicago Transit Authority and PACE were on hand to field questions about the project and Pulse, PACE’s rapid transit network introduced last summer in an effort to modernize facilities and increase ridership.

They also received input from customers, who will have the biggest say on all potential improvements planned for the 11-mile corridor, one of the busiest in the city.

The total cost of the project is $52-$72 million, with Pulse station upgrades costing $500,000 each and buses costing $400,000 each, according to PACE Chief Communications Officer Maggie Daly Skogsbakken.

The two agencies unveiled several possible changes for the South Halsted Bus Corridor, each of which would ease the flow of traffic and reduce travel time between 5 and 10 percent.

The first option would call for parking spaces to only be repurposed at intersections, shaving travel time by 5 percent. The second option would replace a travel lane for bus lanes between 129th and 154th Streets. The third includes Option Two, with bus lanes between 98th and 129th Street replacing on-street parking, reducing travel time by 10 percent.

Potential Pulse station enhancements include heated shelters, customizable shelter panels, landscaping and trash receptacles and an 11- to 12-inch raised platform with heated pavement that would allow for level boarding. Buses would also get a Wi-Fi upgrade.

CTA capital budget includes investment in the Red Line Extension

Got this e-mail this week from CTA regarding the Red Line extension

On November 20, 2019, the Chicago Transit Board approved a $1.57 billion operating budget that preserves existing bus and rail service levels, while continuing the agency’s unprecedented efforts to modernize its infrastructure and improve the CTA travel experience for customers.

CTA’s 2020 capital budget includes a commitment to invest $310 million into the $2.3 billion Red Line Extension (RLE) project, which will extend the Red Line south by 5.3 miles and include four new, fully accessible stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. This is the single most significant funding contribution that CTA has ever made towards the RLE project, and will fund work efforts, including engineering and design activities, to help position the RLE project to receive federal funding.

The 2020 Budget Recommendations book is posted on CTA's web site under Finance & Budget and is available here.

Two photographs were with the email one of which I will show you here. It advertised CTA's efforts to connect with those stakeholders with regards to this future project. You might recognize one face in the photograph long time leader in West Chesterfield Michael LaFargue.

Red line extension update

103rd Street station rendering CTA

The latest update about the future CTA Red Line extension from Curbed Chicago as it's included with a few other updates as far as priority CTA projects in the city.

Chicago Transit Authority fares and service will remain at their current levels next year, according to the agency’s proposed 2020 budget. https://t.co/Y0aWdAbvev

— Curbed Chicago (@curbedchicago) October 28, 2019

The plan will fund design and engineering work for the proposed extension of the Red Line to Chicago’s Far South Side. The study will help the CTA secure federal funding for the massive undertaking, which is expected to cost $2.3 billion in total.

Metra Electric: Proposal to expand service to south side & south suburbs #Ward09

The above segment aired on Chicago Tonight earlier this week. The plan proposed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to create a pilot proposal to expand Metra Electric service to the south side and south suburbs. Unforunately newly minted Mayor Lori Lightfoot is opposed fearing a potential drop in CTA ridership.

Chicago Tonight's Carol Marin speaks with Andrea Read co-chair of Coalition for a Better Metra Electric and executive director of the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce.

RELATED: Red Line extension slipping away?

Red Line extension slipping away? #Ward09

I found this article from The Chicago Crusader over at the resource for Chicago transit history - Chicago-L.org

With Trump now in office, the chances of securing federal funds for the Red Line Extension project are slim. And with the lower property values of the Red Line Extension Project area, the Metropolitan Planning Council has estimated that, at best, an RLE transit TIF would raise only $200 million over the next 35 years.

To his credit, Emanuel spent $280 million to rebuild the 95th Street Red Line station that opened last January.

When compared to other projects on the North Side, including the latest Red-Purple Bypass project, the South Side projects looks like peanuts and another example of the inequity of services between the North and the South Sides.

During the mayoral campaign many candidates including Lori Lightfoot, in political forums, acknowledged that federal funding is the only real option for financing the Red Line Extension Project. But none had come up with creative alternatives for a project that has been on the back burner for so long.

Last summer Governor JB Pritzker passed his $41.5 billion capital spending plan, which would be spent on public roads, transit, schools and other public, state-wide projects. Transportation would get $28.6 billion and $3.4 billion will go to mass transit. There was no mention of funds going towards the Red Line Extension project and no one made a fuss about it, not even Black leaders.

Shortly after he was elected, Pritzker said funds for the Red Line Extension project would come from the Illinois Transportation and infrastructure funding bill, which is part of his passed $41.5 billion capital spending plan. Since then, Pritzker has been largely silent. With Trump in the White House and little funding and vocal leadership, Pritzker seems the only leader whose administration can keep the Red Line Extension project from being a dream deferred.

Especially noted was the efforts to secure funding for improvements to the Red, Purple, and Brown Lines on the north side. This was noted as the largest capital project in CTA history... 

Increased Metra service on Chicago's south side affects CTA service?

From the Tribune yesterday:

County Board President Toni Preckwinkle cemented a plan to lower fares and increase service on both the Metra Electric and Rock Island train lines at the center of a racial equity agenda presented to the City Club of Chicago earlier this week — saying the effort would help ensure South Side and south suburban residents have better access to transit.

“This is what equity investments in transportation look like," Preckwinkle said of what she described as a three-year pilot plan that would advance with financial support from the county government.

Lightfoot’s not convinced. The fare reduction plan would have “a dramatic effect” on the Chicago Transit Authority, the mayor told reporters Wednesday.

“I’m not in favor of it based upon the analysis that we’ve done," Lightfoot said. "I’ve spent some time talking with (CTA President) Dorval Carter about it, and it looks like it is essentially a transfer of CTA passengers to the Metra line.

“Obviously there’s an area of the South Side where we need to have better transportation services," Lightfoot said. "That Metra line is underserved, and I’m absolutely willing to work with Metra and the county, but this particular proposal I think causes problems for the CTA and I’m not going to support something that would have the effect of diminishing ridership at the CTA.”

I think increased service on the Metra Electric at least could be a good thing. I do hear there are those public transit users who prefer taking Metra over taking the L. I think at current the increased service on the south side and even the close in southern suburbs could be great.

At the same time, one could wonder how this could affect future CTA service upgrade. For example could increased service on Metra Electric through Pullman and Roseland affect the future CTA Red Line Extension.

A proposal for CTA fares to ride Metra

Metrarail.com

There is a proposal to make riding Metra's Rock Island and Electric lines as affordable as a CTA fare. Would this make some of you more likely to take Metra to where you need to go? Via Curbed Chicago

A plan to reduce fares and increase service on South Side Metra lines is moving forward https://t.co/eZZbkIx6VS pic.twitter.com/focQC58Cun

— Curbed Chicago (@curbedchicago) July 24, 2019

A plan to reduce fares and boost service on Metra rail lines serving Chicago’s Far South Side and southern suburbs is building momentum. Officials hope cheaper and more frequent service on Metra’s Electric District and the Rock Island District lines will reverse declining ridership.

If realized, the move would cut ticket prices from the current level of $4 to $5.50 down to $2.50—the same price as a ride on the CTA’s L system. Details such as timing and any financial subsidies from Cook County are still being ironed out, the Chicago Tribune reported this earlier week. Officials are also exploring offering free Ventra transfers between Metra, CTA, and Pace.

A recent mobility study found that although southern Cook County has a higher proportion of transit-dependent residents, the area is lagging when it comes to transit access. Cheaper fares and more frequent service could boost ridership by as much as 33 percent and even lead to a net increase in revenue, according to the study.

I hope they can follow this up with some plans to upgrade some of the Metra stations - especially on the Metra Electric line. Then again we would have to see if these stations see an increase in activity.

Wentworth/Vincennes - 1958 #tbt

Last year I posted a video that showed the last run of CTA's streetcars 61 years ago. The last CTA streetcar was routed from downtown to Vincennes-77th Street now CTA bus route 24. From Chicago History Today (published this on that blog this past March) here's  how the intersection of Vincennes/Wentworth used to look.

From Chicago History Today - Vincennes/Wentworth 1958

Of course if you click through you will see that same place as seen today. I know things change, but I see back in the day a seemingly vibrant neighborhood. It's unbelievable that we're looking at the south side here.

Metra upgrades and slashing Metra Electric fares...

[VIDEO] As there is a bill being proposed in Springfield that would fares on the Metra Electric line in the city, perhaps I should share this story. This aired on CBS Chicago on May 9, 2019 and was shot at the Metra station at 115th Street or in Metra parlance Kensington. It illustrates the need for upgrades to Metra stations.

The aforementioned bill to cut fares to ride the Metra Electric line within the city limits is designed to make riding that route within the city a more attractive option and was introduced by local state representative Marcus Evans (D - 33rd District). From the Tribune on May 7, 2019:

The bill, introduced by Illinois State Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr., a Democrat, would set fares for Metra Electric trips within the city as equal to CTA rail fares, which are $2.50 at the regular rate. Metra Electric fares within the city currently range from $4 to $5.50 for a single ride.

South Side community activists have long discussed converting the Metra Electric line, which runs from downtown into the south suburbs, into a rapid-transit line with more frequent stops to make up for a lack of rapid transit options on the far South Side.

“It’s a quality-of-life issue,” said Linda Thisted, co-chair of the Coalition for a Modern Metra Electric, which supports the bill. “A lot of people can’t afford Metra Electric fares so they take really slow buses. This could transform the South Side and the South Shore.”
...
Expansion of South Side service through Metra could be less expensive than a parallel expansion of the CTA’s Red Line south from 95th Street to 130th Street, which will cost about $2.3 billion. The CTA is planning the extension, though it does not yet have the money to pay for it.

Metra said it was willing to discuss the proposal, which also would allow Metra Electric riders to use the Ventra card to get on the train.

“We would look forward to working with Rep. Evans and others to determine whether doing this is feasible and affordable,” said Metra spokesman Michael Gillis.

#tbt Englewood branch Green Line August 1993

[VIDEO] At this point the Green Line (Lake-Englewood-Jackson Park) had been created in February 1993 once the Red Line (Howard-Dan Ryan) was created. The original north-south and west-south lines were rerouted according to create the two lines we know today. Thus we see this from 1993 as a Green Line train heads east along 63rd Street.

We see Racine in service before it closed. We also see the closed Harvard stop which would be dismantled later during the two year closure of the green line for rehabilitation.

Also as you see the train approach Halsted you get a different perspective on the intersection of 63rd & Halsted. Buildings that later would be demolished and replaced for Kennedy-King College and then for the shopping center that would later contain Whole Foods Market Englewood.

Jackson Park station 1893 #tbt #63rdStL

The image you will see below is fascinating. Did you know back during the 1893 Columbia Exposition that the East 63rd/Jackson Park L was built towards the fair grounds there?

View this post on Instagram

Fascinating image of something I’d never seen before, sent to me by my good bud J.J. Sedelmaier. It shows the original 63rd Street EL terminal inside the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition grounds. After the fair, the station was demolished and line was cut back to Stony Island Avenue (and then shortened again to Cottage Grove in the 1990s). #1893worldsfair #worldscolumbianexposition #chicago #jacksonpark @beyokay

A post shared by Lee Bey📸 (@leebey) on Mar 23, 2019 at 11:13am PDT

What I didn't know until recently that Chicago-L.org also had that picture posted on their webpage for what they refer to as the Jackson Park Station of what was formerly the South Side Rapid Transit line. I had the idea of this building being the Museum of Science and Industry except the building where the museum is now is a different one known as the fine arts building. That building is the only remaining structure from that fair.


The Jackson Park station after the fair was closed and demolished and the line terminated at Stony Island. Then in the 1980s the Stony Island terminal was eliminated after concerns over the maintenance of an overpass over railroad tracks. Then in the 1990s the branch was further cut with the remainder of the line past the current Cottage Grove terminal was demolished.

Then in recent years a grassroots effort to ultimately re-extend the line back to Stony Island with the Obama Presidential Library coming to Jackson Park in the near future. Perhaps they could end the new East 63rd Green Line in Jackson Park as close to the Museum of Science and Industry or terminate hear the presidential library. Who knows what the future has in store for this part of the city.

Tribune: CTA driver jumps out window during shooting on bus in Chatham

Ulric Slovig flickr

Taking the bus out there be very careful. As you see here (or in headline) the bus driver had to dive out of a window to avoid shooting:

A CTA bus driver jumped out a window at the sound of gunfire on his bus late Tuesday in the South Side’s Chatham neighborhood, causing injuries to his neck, back and leg, according to police.

The driver was the only person hurt in the shooting around 10:25 p.m. Tuesday in the 7900 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, police said. The shots fired by a rider did not hit anyone.

The shooter got on the bus at 79th Street and Drexel Avenue. Another man got on two blocks west, at 79th and Cottage Grove. Five other passengers were on the bus when the men started to argue, a police source said. The shooter took out a handgun and fired several times at the other man, then ran off the bus, police said. The other man also left the bus before police arrived.

You may have also seen this story on:

• WGN
• Block Club Chi
• CBS Chicago