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Unfortunately that new Light Rail Line, being a suburban mini-metro with virtually all new stations along highways, will not create more walkable, human-scale n
by ant6n 7y ago
Unfortunately that new Light Rail Line, being a suburban mini-metro with virtually all new stations along highways, will not create more walkable, human-scale neighborhoods with great transit connections to downtown. That's because you won't have those neighborhoods where they'll build the stations.
And that's often the problem with public transit that is built nowadays in North America (if any is built at all..) -- it's often built to outer low-density suburbs, along or on highways, with giant park'n'rides instead of neighborhoods at stations.
And that's why walkable neighborhoods with good transit connections are so rare and thus so expensive.
- mc32 7y agoSubways are expensive and displacing buildings to build grade level rail is a problem for many people. Sharing right of way with freeways makes some sense.
- hermitdev 7y agoSome of the L lines in Chicago are above ground, when they are, they generally use the median area of a major highway (south 90/94 and 290 to the west). There is some at grade stretches on the north side of the city/near suburbs. I think all of the suburban commuter (Metra, which is an entirely different system & agency) use freight lines, with stations typically near the town/village/city center. Problem with the shared lines is that freight (because they own the line) generally has priority. Freight train breaks down? Youre stuck for hours. 1.5 mile coal train coming through at the switch? You're stuck until it passes. Granted, when I had to commute into the Loop in Chicago, the hour total of using Metra was far more convenient, less frustrating and cheaper than driving. It was a hour door to door for me, 15 mins to get to the station, 5 minutes of waiting, 25 mins on the train and about a 15 min walk to the office. Now I both live and work in the West suburbs. Usually a 15 minute drive into work, about 25 home.
- PunksATawnyFill 7y agoWhere does Metra share track with freight trains? I took the Northwestern, as my dad did, and there are NO freight trains on it. Also, MOST of the L is above ground. The Loop, the Howard, and Ravenswood lines being prime examples.
- ant6n 7y agoThere are other other options besides tunnels and elevated along highways - for example using rail ROWs. Also, if you build Urban metros instead of suburban ones, the tunnel costs are often worthwhile.