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Showing posts with label public transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public transportation. Show all posts

Thursday, January 11, 2024

#TBT Michigan Avenue in Roseland

Long time no see. Allow me to wish you all a Happy New Year. Hopefully the past holiday season was a wonderful and joyous one.

I found the three pics below in the Roseland History Group on Facebook and just though this was a great look back at Michigan Avenue in the past. And my hope is that one day it could go back to its former glory. Especially once that Red Line extension is finally built

The first two pics shows the area surrounding the long demolished State Theater which is about one block north of 111th Street. It appears these two photographs below are shown on the Cinema Treasures site credited to Dr. Gene Ossello and was taken in 1967.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Red Line extension gets $2 billion, one step closer to reality

Well this is what the Sun-Times says that $2 billion is pledged towards.

The $3.7 billion Red Line extension has “advanced to the final phase” of the painstaking, federal funding process. The feds are making a $2 billion commitment to cover half the cost and authorizing CTA to advance to the engineering stage, which CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. called the “final step ... in order to begin construction.”

The CTA hopes to award an engineering and construction contract and begin preliminary work before the end of this year, then reach the final step — a full-funding grant agreement with the feds. That would pave the way for construction of the extension and four stations to begin in 2025.

“You have heard us talk about this project for decades, but I’m here to tell you the project is now happening,” Carter told a news conference at the Red Line Extension Community Outreach Center, 401 W. 111th St.

The Red Line extension includes new stations at 103rd; 111th Street near Eggleston Avenue; along Michigan Avenue near 116th Street; and the new terminus at 130th Street near Altgeld Gardens.
Here's a WGN story about this which aired on the news yesterday. It features comments from Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Mayor Brandon Johnson, CTA Pres. Dorval Carter, and Ald. Anthony Beale as he will benefit from this new L branch. [VIDEO

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Uncontrolled bus almost backs into oncoming traffic on 95th!

 

[VIDEO] Just had to share this with you all and it seems very scary. An unmanned err sorry not very PC it had no operator driving. It had no driver and it rolled backwards into traffic and had two CTA personnel try to stop the bus from the outside. One of them seemed to be trying to stop the bus from the front. Well bad idea, very dangerous idea.

They were able to stop the bus, anoter CTA driver was able to open the doors to the bus and probably knew what control to activate to finally bring the bus to a stop.

In the description from YouTube channel locoooo

The operator of the bus did not apply the parking brake prior to getting off the bus . When the bus shut off for idling , it began rolling back into oncoming traffic

This video was filmed on May 17, 2023. 

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

WGN News: Man critical after being stabbed following altercation at 95th Street

 

[VIDEO] Yikes! Be careful out there on the Red Line.

WGN reports:

The stabbing happened on a Red Line train in the 0-100 block of West 95th Street around 11:50 p.m. Tuesday.

According to police, a 28-year-old man was in a physical altercation with a 21-year-old man on a train, when the 21-year-old took out a knife and began stabbing the 28-year-old.

The victim sustained multiple stab wounds to the stomach, head and arms and was transported to Christ Hospital in critical condition.

Police said the offender also sustained lacerations to the hands and was transported to the same hospital in good condition.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Chicago Tonight: CTA & City eyes community centric development around future Red Line extension #Ward09 #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] I suppose this could be a question for both Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson for the 2023 runoff, what is their position on the CTA Red Line extension. What would they be able to do to make this future extension into Ward 9/Roseland a reality?

Saturday, February 4, 2023

WGN: 4 hurt after CTA bus crashes into currency exchange building in Roseland

 

[VIDEO] There have been some posts about this on instagram Friday night. I immediately was able to identify where this was once I saw it the Currency Exchange at 111th & Michigan. Just across the street from the former Walgreens that was once located there.

There was a bad accident from the eyewitness reports in the above story from WGN-TV there was a chase and a car tried to swerve around an oncoming bus. The bus hit the car and then crashed into that currency exchange.

Thankfully all injuries are considered non-fatal.

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Trains Are Awesome: Metra has a holiday train

 

[VIDEO] YouTube channel Trains Are Awesome shows the Holiday Train that runs on the Metra Electric line. We know about the CTA Holiday Train which is currently running through Christmas, but I never knew about a Metra Holiday Train which is chronicled here as Thom boards that train from Homewood to come into the Randolph Street station for gift bags and a hot chocolate from Starbuck's.

Here are some more details from Metra however note tickets are sold out, however, there's always next year now that you know. The train itself runs on three Saturdays this month and sadly today Dec. 17th is the last day it will run this month. So there's always next year if you want to check it out.

Happy holidays.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

CBS Chicago: City council approves funding for CTA Red Line extension

 

[VIDEO] Here are a few more details from Crain's, this TIF was noted in a recent CTA video about the future extension from 95th Street to 130th Street.

The City Council on Wednesday approved the creation of a new tax-increment financing district to create $950 million over three decades to help pay for the $3.6 billion extension of the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line from 95th Street south to 130th Street.

“Our community has been disconnected” from the city, said Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, whose Far South Side ward will be home to much of the extended rail line. Beale, who’s a frequent critic of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, thanked the mayor for pushing for the TIF to support the project.

The new TIF will capture future property tax growth within portions of five wards—the 3rd, 4th, 11th, 25th and downtown 42nd—to pay for land acquisition and other costs involved in the project.

The 5.6-mile extension plan also includes four new stations to be located at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue (between 115th and 116th streets) and a new 130th Street terminal.

Monday, December 12, 2022

CTA Red Line extension project

 

[VIDEO] Obligatory update on the Red Line extension via CTA. The extension is moving forward towards securing funding. You see footage of Mayor Lightfoot announcing a TIF that would contribute towards building the Red Line extension to 130th Street. This was uploaded to CTAs YouTube channel two days ago.

We also see a concept of the new stations on the extension. Seems lofty to see at least in the distant future new residential development and a coffeeshop named for Makayla. Hmmm I seem cynical?

Well I like to see where some of these communities will be especially if projects like this come to fruition. Perhaps there will be a Makayla Coffeeshop in the community in the near future and hopefully other amenities beyond that. Wait I like the idea of a Roseland Coffee House, and right on the same lot where the old Coffee Pot restaurant used to be.

Another term that has come up in this video is equity. Equity in public transit and equity in as far as who gets contracts to build this new infrastructure.

My deal, however, is when will this project get the federal funding and go forward? 

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Anyone having issues with CTA bus service?

 

[VIDEO] Are you experiencing issues with CTA bus services on the south side? 

According to this report from ABC 7 Chicago absenteeism is the reason why buses are delayed. Absenteeism out of the 77th Street garage are at 18% out of the 103th Street garage it's 17.6% however on the north side at North Park it's 10%. CTA has about 1000 vacancies for frontline positions with the majority of these open positions for bus drivers.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

I'm sorry I missed out on CTA 75th anniversary part 2

 

[VIDEO] I mentioned the old L cars in a previous post which showed a ride on an old CTA bus. These L cars and buses are part of CTA's heritage fleet and on October 1st the Chicago Transit Authority celebrated 75 years. 75 years ago the CTA was created merging Chicago's previously separate and privately owned transit services - primarily the L and streetcar services - and the merger of the bus service would come separately in 1952.

What you see in this video is the 4000-series car. And sadly I never had the chance to see these in actions in my life as they were retired long before I was born. I think before this series served on CTA's L system most of the rolling stock were wooden cars. These cars were the ones permitted to run through the State Street subway when it was opened for service during the 1940s.

I'm glad artistmac was able to record most of heritage fleet that were on display this past weekend.

Monday, October 3, 2022

I'm sorry I missed out on CTA 75th anniversary

On October 1st you could ride some of the heritage fleet equipment from old CTA L trains to old CTA buses. Such as this one which marked a lot of my transit rides in my youth the old fishbowl GM buses. I would've been very cool to have taken a ride on one of these buses again. [VIDEO]



Sunday, August 7, 2022

Block Club Chi: Red Line extension is now closer than ever

 The most recent reporting on the future Red Line extension which will take the L further south into Roseland to 130th Street. As I read this article no money has been allocated to start this project yet.

Block Club Chi:

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Be careful on CTA especially during the late night hours

 

[VIDEO] This report from FOX 32 discusses the many violent incidents on CTA recently. The focus seems to be on the red line especially. Most recently an attempted robbery at the 63rd Street L station resulted in a stabbing death noted in this video report.

There was another incident closer to downtown. Another attempted robbery had the victim fight off his attackers with a knife further north at the North/Clybourn L station. Most of these incidents take place after midnight to perhaps early rush hour which is about 5 or 6 AM.

If you have to take CTA especially to get to work be very careful out there. 

Thursday, April 21, 2022

State ends mask mandate on public transit

 I didn't update this when it happened, however, worth sharing for those of you who ride public transportation especially. CTA was still putting up tweets saying mask up until restrictions are lifted and then Gov. Pritzker lifted them on Tuesday the same two as the last two posts.

From the recent press release 
To align with the ending of the enforcement of the federal mask mandate on public transportation following a federal court ruling, Governor Pritzker today announced he will revise Illinois' executive order executive order lifting those requirements for the State of Illinois. As a result, masks will no longer be required on public transit, in public transit hubs, or in airports. Executive Order 2022-06 will be amended to reflect these changes. Local municipalities retain the right to establish their own mitigations, including masking requirements on public transportation.

I also want to add the most recent tweet from CTA on this subject 

From the NBC Chicago article you see where Midway and O'Hare stands with masks, Uber if you use that service, and for those of you who ride Metra & Pace masks are now optional there as well.


Tuesday, April 19, 2022

NBC Chicago: Are Masks Still Required on Chicago Public Transportation and at Airports?

This is for those of you who go to both Midway or O'Hare to travel. And definitely for those of you who depend on CTA, Metra, or Pace. Masks are still required at least until May 3, 2022 when you're free to go maskless or perhaps sooner who knows.

Here's a tweet from CTA.


Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Save the Date: Supplemental Environmental Assessment for Red Line extension

From a recent e-mail from CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is hosting a virtual and in-person public hearing to solicit public comments on the Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) and section 4(f) Evaluation. The Supplemental EA discloses design refinements to the project's Preferred Alignment and evaluates three project changes that have occurred since the publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 2016. The project changes are 1) 130th Street station relocation, 2) 120th Street yard and shop refinement, and 3) 107th Place cross-over.
  • Virtual Public Hearing (via Zoom)
    Tuesday, February 15th
  • In-Person Public Hearing Thursday, February 17th
    The Salvation Army Kroc Center (1250 W. 119th St., Chicago, IL 60643)
Information regarding pre-registration and availability of the Supplemental EA and Section 4(f) Evaluation, to be made available ahead of the public hearings!

For additional information about the Red Line Extension Project, please visit the project website at transitchicago.com/rle/, or please contact the project team at RedExtension@transitchicago.com.

 

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

CTA Red Line extension meetings in December

Screencaps come from video via CTA

Some of you might have got this in your emails if you've subscribed to any Red Line extension updates
JOIN US!
Final RLE Transit-Supportive Development (TSD)
Plan Virtual Community Meetings:

The CTA is hosting two virtual meetings to get your feedback on the proposed strategies and concepts for Transit-Supportive Development near each of the four proposed RLE station areas. Your input as a community member will help determine the preferred future development of the station areas! Community members are encouraged to attend both meetings!
  • Tuesday, December 7th (6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
    103rd Street and Michigan Avenue Stations
  • Wednesday, December 8th (6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
    111th Street and 130th Street Stations
For more information about the TSD Plan, please visit transitchicago.com/RLE/TSD. For questions about the RLE Project and/or the TSD Plan, please contact the project team at RedExtension@transitchicago.com.
I don't plan to copy everything from that email, however, some other parts that are relevant if you want to participate.