$286.4 Billion Highway and Mass Transit Bill

In the Daily Southtown from today, there is an article about the U.S. House passing the $286.4 billion highway and mass transit bill. It mentions funding for a station buy US Cellular Field, which I think is a great idea for Metra to boost RI's currently low weekend ridership.

Money also is included for Metra to build the STAR suburban rail line connecting O'Hare to Joliet.

South suburban leaders led an outcry in 2003 when Metra unveiled its plans for the STAR line. The project, they said, should have included an additional leg from Joliet to the Indiana state line.

Public pressure and a campaign by south suburban leaders resulted in more south suburban representation on Metra's board of directors. Metra also revamped Electric Line cars that rumble through the south suburbs and proposed building a new Southeast Service Line from Chicago to Crete. Money for that project also is included in the bill.

Additionally, the legislation includes improvements to major intersections along U.S. 30 in the Lincoln-Way area; a Metra stop next to U.S. Cellular Field; a partial interchange at Oak Park Avenue and Interstate 80 in Tinley Park; an extension of the Electric Line from University Park to the site of the proposed south suburban airport; improvements along LaGrange Road; and a new Metra station in Oak Lawn.

metraRI wrote:South suburban leaders led an outcry in 2003 when Metra unveiled its plans for the STAR line. The project, they said, should have included an additional leg from Joliet to the Indiana state line

That would be ideal, I think, because this branch could provide additional potential connections to two existing Metra lines (SWS, ME) plus a connection to the proposed SES line at Chicago Heights. Eventually, it could also connect to the South Shore's proposed "West Lake" line to Valparaiso, if that ever gets built. With proper construction combined with adequate foresight, the STAR line has great potential to enhance the connectivity along Metra's network...

Also found out that a portion of this money has been appropriated for the proposed extension of Metra's UP-N line into Racine and on to Milwaukee, so it appears at least one funding obstacle has been cleared. Click the link for more info:

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/20 ... 634586.txt

doepack wrote:Also found out that a portion of this money has been appropriated for the proposed extension of Metra's UP-N line into Racine and on to Milwaukee, so it appears at least one funding obstacle has been cleared.

The commuter rail from Kenosha to Milwaukee will get alot of riders, especially since the Wisconsin DOT is planning on rebuilding I-94 in the next couple of years between the IL-WI state line and Milwaukee.

This $80 million that they are getting is a big boast for the Chicago- Milwaukee commuter Rail.

The money that Metra is getting for it's Star line, and it's southeast service is very great news.

As what metraRI said, metra should had included the part from Joliet to near the IN state line, but can metra still add that leg to its, star line project.