New Metra SouthEast Line: Will it revitalize south suburbs? (Chicago: bankrupt, bus)

[urza216]

i really really REALLY think they should extend Metra down to Kankakee before extending Metra up to a whole different Metro area. In fact, I would be mad if they extended Metra to Milwakee before Kankakee. it already annoys me that Metra goes to Kenosha but not Kankakee

[pvande55]

Originally Posted by urza216

i really really REALLY think they should extend Metra down to Kankakee before extending Metra up to a whole different Metro area. In fact, I would be mad if they extended Metra to Milwakee before Kankakee. it already annoys me that Metra goes to Kenosha but not Kankakee

Kankakee County would have to join, and pay taxes to, Metra before that could happen. Efforts to extend to Milwaukee are further along because the three counties north of Kenosha have been working on it, and examining funding methods for several years. And I believe it would be necessary to change trains at Kenosha.http://www.transitnow.org/KRM.html

[sunnyandcloudydays]

I do realize some of the thoughts are from a while back.

But one poster did mention the taxes in will county being less expensive than cook.

I would have to disagree- seems to me will county property taxes are a whole lot more than in cook county.

obviously it depends what district you live as well as what city or village.
but the notion cook is altogether more expensive is not true.

The STAR line would be awesome.
I have not heard anything about that proposal in along time.

To me Kankakee would make sense.
You would have a metra line to kankakee and to the south suburban airport (it it ever happens)
in addition you would serve portions in eastern cook and eastern will. In the no mans land that really is inbetween metra and the south shore. In specific.
Lynwood, parts of glenwood, crete, steger, Dyer, IN , parts of Munster, IN. s. heights, ch. heights.

there is a large amount of people in these areas that commute to the city on a daily basis. not even counting the commuters from kankakee, bradley and borbonnais.

I remember seeing the Metra Electric line is a profitable line.
I do not think its fair to say the cities of Harvey, Riverdale have not benefited form the line.

To me the line is a vital link for people in the city who probably have lower paying jobs.

[Golden Camel]

Originally Posted by pvande55

Kankakee County would have to join, and pay taxes to, Metra before that could happen. Efforts to extend to Milwaukee are further along because the three counties north of Kenosha have been working on it, and examining funding methods for several years. And I believe it would be necessary to change trains at Kenosha.Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Trains

The KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee) project was officially killed in September 2011 after 7(?) years of study. SERTA (Southeast Regional Transit Authority) has been disbanded.

Before Metra, the C&NW used to run the commuter service on what are now the three Metra UP lines. On the North Line, it ran several daily trains all the way to Milwaukee (although they were not considered part of the commuter service). The Milwaukee Road also ran trains to Milwaukee on what is now the Metra Milwaukee District North Line. When Amtrak took over inter-city rail service they canceled the C&NW service to Milwaukee and retained the Milwaukee Road line.

It is sad that it takes so much effort and so many years of study just to restore former service. But in any case, the project is now dead.

If anyone needs to commute to Milwaukee from Union Station or Glenview, Amtrak does sell monthly tickets on the line.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

I do realize some of the thoughts are from a while back.

But one poster did mention the taxes in will county being less expensive than cook.

I would have to disagree- seems to me will county property taxes are a whole lot more than in cook county.

obviously it depends what district you live as well as what city or village.
but the notion cook is altogether more expensive is not true.

The STAR line would be awesome.
I have not heard anything about that proposal in along time.

To me Kankakee would make sense.
You would have a metra line to kankakee and to the south suburban airport (it it ever happens)
in addition you would serve portions in eastern cook and eastern will. In the no mans land that really is inbetween metra and the south shore. In specific.
Lynwood, parts of glenwood, crete, steger, Dyer, IN , parts of Munster, IN. s. heights, ch. heights.

there is a large amount of people in these areas that commute to the city on a daily basis. not even counting the commuters from kankakee, bradley and borbonnais.

I remember seeing the Metra Electric line is a profitable line.
I do not think its fair to say the cities of Harvey, Riverdale have not benefited form the line.

To me the line is a vital link for people in the city who probably have lower paying jobs.

There is no reason why an airport has to be built for a Metra rail to Kankakee to be built.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

However it is fitting in with a vision the agencies have for the south suburban area.

south suburban airort
illiana expressway
metra south east expansion
80-57 entrance and exits

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

However it is fitting in with a vision the agencies have for the south suburban area.

south suburban airort
illiana expressway
metra south east expansion
80-57 entrance and exits

And an extension of 355 to connect with I-57 hopefully.

[Northwest Indiana]

It has been a little over two years since this has been discussed on here. I just read this article about the proposed line. Since NWI has made major moves in beginning to develop the "West Lake Corridor" of the South Shore Line, this seems to have revitalized efforts to develop the "SouthEast Line" of the Metra network.

Proponents of southeast Metra line say project still on track

Any opinions on this?

[urza216]

Originally Posted by Northwest Indiana

It has been a little over two years since this has been discussed on here. I just read this article about the proposed line. Since NWI has made major moves in beginning to develop the "West Lake Corridor" of the South Shore Line, this seems to have revitalized efforts to develop the "SouthEast Line" of the Metra network.

Proponents of southeast Metra line say project still on track

Any opinions on this?

Well, it won't "revitalize" the south suburbs but it will be a nice thing to have. People in Chicago Heights will be able to walk to the Metra station.

[reppin_the_847]

It can only help. After all, a very significant percentage of south suburbanites commute to jobs in the Chicago Loop. Since the south suburbs aren't exactly as abundant with jobs, it only makes sense that Loop jobs (even the lower paid roles) would be a huge draw. The same thing applies to NW Indiana.