Richard Garza and Perry Duis, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607
The scope of this project is to examine the current rapid transit route lines of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The purpose of this examination is to determine if a new additional rapid transit line which is not focused towards the Central Business District (CBD) would be beneficial to metropolitan Chicago. Within the scope of this research, important subtopics will be covered such as: Economic growth away from the CBD, where these new employment centers are located, the difficulty of Chicago residents to reach these centers either by existing mass rapid transit routes or by automobile. Additional related subtopics will include the examinations of continual expressway congestion, growing urban sprawl, and the effect this has on the local environment and use of natural resources.
Specific research work which has been done so far include: The history of Chicago rapid transit; past proposals for the development of the Crosstown expressway and a corresponding parallel rapid transit line; the socio-economic aspects and implications; close examination of area maps, existing railroad lines for right-of-way use, and aireal photography. Also, personal interviews have been conducted with individuals who are very knowledgeable and influential as to the various subtopics.
The final conclusion being reached is that in order to best complete the existing rapid transit system, one major additional crosstown route line is necessary. This is necessary in order to connect up all the existing lines which would provide increased accessibility to transfer to most, if not all of the existing CTA rapid transit and METRA rail lines. The final conclusion includes detailed proposals of where this new Crosstown rapid transit line should have its end-of-the-line points, the most efficient and beneficial route for it to follow between these points, and why this is so. Additional conclusions will cover the overall numerous beneficial effects this new Crosstown Rapid Transit Line will have for the Chicago metropolitan area and its residents.