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| Credit 94thepoint.com |
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| RLE Extension Project |
I've seen articles about the cost of the Red Line Extension, and now this recent Chicago Tribune editorial. Here's an excerpt:
In the meantime, though, the Trump-induced uncertainty surrounding the project, combined with the push in Springfield this month to reform the Chicago area’s transit agencies and infuse them with more revenue as they face budget shortfalls, should resurface the lingering and legitimate questions about the wisdom of the Red Line Extension. Even if that nearly $2 billion is restored, the overall project cost that now sits at $5.75 billion — an ungodly $1 billion per mile, about twice what an above-surface train line should cost — is impossible even for fervent transit advocates to justify.
We’ve spoken in recent weeks to officeholders with a keen interest in the initiative, among them state Rep. Kam Buckner and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, both of Chicago. What we heard from both — and they clearly reflect how many others in local and federal government feel — is disbelief and consternation about how high the RLE cost has gotten but fatalism, too, that Chicago simply can’t afford to say no to $2 billion in federal cash.
Buckner, who knows this part of the city well, went beyond criticizing the eye-watering price tag to questioning whether extending the Red Line from its current 95th Street terminus south to the city limits makes practical sense. The neighborhoods through which that extension would run simply are hollowed out, and while project advocates hope the line will galvanize development and repopulation, there’s plenty of reason to be highly skeptical. The risk of a new $5.75 billion (or likely higher when all is said and done) train line that serves just a smattering of riders is high.
We understand the point of view that so much federal help is politically difficult to refuse, but we also disagree with it. A project that only a few years ago was penciled at $3.7 billion now requires even more than that total in financing from the Chicago Transit Authority and other local resources — and that’s after the $2 billion in federal cash.
Even if city officials are able to reverse the Trump administration’s decision, does the RLE make sense anymore given the cost?
Read the whole thing.
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| Hat-tip Chesterfield Community Council |
Over the weekend I observed some people in yellow safety vests going from door to door in my neighborhood and found two flyers in my mailbox they were handing out. They did actually have clipboards and it is petition collection season - 2026 is an election year.
As you may know State Rep. Nick Smith will not run for another term in Springfield so here's one possible contender for his seat.
I want to add that the people who were working the neighborhood over the weekend also handed out flyers for State Sen. Elgie Sims, who is running for re-election. That flyer will be shared on this blog at a later time.
Does Ms. Cowley have your vote to go to Springfield? Do you know anyone else who's running for the 34th District State Representative? If you do, who has your vote?
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Columbus Day.
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| Red Line Extension |
This is terrible and thanks to the feud between Trump & Pritzker and we could include the Mayor also. It's a shame because the Red Line extension is a worthwhile project.
