(Existing) Main Line System Recommendations This system recommendation focuses mobility investment in a central main line corridor proximate to I-290. A bus rapid transit (BRT) line at each end of the Main Line corridor is additionally recommended for collection and distribution. Three different alternatives for an I-290 Main Line Corridor are recommended for further study, in light of evaluation results. The Technical Committee recommendation reflects Main Line options 1, 2 and 4 Construction cost estimate: $4.3 - $5.5 billion Operating cost estimate: $39 - $52 million (annually) 78 linear mile system System with fewest environmental concerns Strong in achieving goals 62,000 jobs Pros Connects people to all six employment centers with fewest major investments I-290 to O Hare Airport 90,000 jobs Lawrence Ave to I-94 at 87 th St Strong interface with CTA east of the Corridor Flexibility of BRT to increase service levels without facility expansion and deviate route if needed BRT alternative in I-290 corridor could allow for a high level of interoperability, offering direct, express service between many different places J Line BRT I-290 Thorndale IL 83 I-88 Diehl IL 59 57,000 jobs Blue Line (fixed guideway) alternative in I-290 corridor offers greater service reliability for reverse commuters 49,000 jobs 31,000 jobs HOV, BRT, 1 st Ave Blue Line extension alternative moves terminus of the Blue Line and the BRT to the Loyola/Maywood employment center. Cons 28,000 jobs I-290 widening may require acquisition of right-of-way, primarily near Oak Park interchanges I-290 Main Line Corridor Alternatives: BRT and HOV HOV lanes from I-88 Interchange to Cicero Ave and BRT from J Line (IL 83) to MidCity (Cicero Ave) Blue Line Extension to Oak Brook Blue Line extension to J Line (IL 83) from Forest Park (Des Plaines Ave) BRT, HOV and Blue Line Extension to 1 st Ave HOV lanes from I-88 Interchange to 1 st Ave BRT from J Line (IL 83) to Maywood (1st Ave) Blue Line Extension to Maywood (1 st Ave) from Forest Park (Des Plaines Ave) Major employment center identified in Cook DuPage Corridor Travel Market Analysis (RTA, Dec. 2005) Effectiveness of HOV in our region is uncertain and experiences have varied nationwide Requires extensive interagency coordination in facility design, access and financing Potential to impact historic landmarks in the I-290 corridor (Oak Park and Chicago) MidCity BRT cost and construction feasibility (currently under study by CDOT)
Main Line System: Project Information Project Assumed Alignment or Route Length Description Miles Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate* in millions Environmental Concerns Thorndale Ave, I-290 to O Hare Airport **4.4 Upgrade from arterial to limited access expressway; expansion from 4 to 6 lanes with additional ROW set aside for transit $1,625 Wetland and flood plain (Salt Creek) DuPage J Line BRT I-290, IL 58 to Thorndale Ave; Thorndale Ave, I-290 to O Hare; IL 83, Thorndale Ave to I-88; I-88, IL 83 to Naperville Rd; Diehl Rd, Naperville Rd to IL 59; IL 59, I-88 to 95th St./STAR Line 40.4 Bus Rapid Transt (BRT), primairly on shoulder lanes; exclusive median lanes on Thorndale Ave and IL 59 $1,067 Wetland along I-290/IL 53, Thorndale Ave and Diehl Rd; Flood plains along I-290/IL 53, Thorndale Ave, IL 83, I-88, Diehl Rd and IL 59; Open space and parklands along the I- 290/IL 53, IL 83 and I-88; 1 school Cicero Ave., I-90 to CTA Red Line/87th St 25.3 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) largely grade separated $1,284 3 churches, 1 school Total 65.7 $3,976 I-290 Main Line Corridor Alternatives A B I-290 BRT I-290, Cicero Ave to IL 83 12.2 I-290 HOV Lanes I-290, Cicero Ave. to I-88/I-294 Interchange **9.4 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with center median stations operating on I-290 HOV lanes One new lane in each direction for High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) Subtotals 12.2 $362 Blue Line Extension to Oak Brook, DesPlaines Ave to IL 83 7.4 Grade separated heavy rail rapid transit primarily in the center of I-290 $1,544 Subtotals 7.4 $1,544 $56 $306 District (Oak Park), Oak Park Conservatory and Columbus Park (Chicago); 2 churches and 2 schools 2 churches and 2 schools I-290 HOV Lanes I-290, 1st Ave to Hillside **4.3 One new lane in each direction for High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) $140 C I-290 BRT I-290, 1st Ave to IL 83 7.3 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with center median stations operating on I-290 HOV lanes Blue Line Extension to 1st Ave, DesPlaines Ave to 1st Ave 0.6 Grade separated heavy rail rapid transit on the north side of I-290 $159 Subtotals 7.9 $347 $48 District (Oak Park) and Columbus Park (Chicago); 2 churches and 2 schools SYSTEM TOTALS 73.1 -- 77.9 4,323 -- 5,520 * Order of magnitude cost estimate includes unit cost based capital estimate, soft /engineering cost estimate of 30%, contingency estimate of 25% and vehicle cost estimate (if transit). ** To avoid double-counting, the mileage of a capital investment that is entirely within the termini of another investment is not included in system subtotals and totals.
Concentric System Recommendations This system recommendation is to improve mobility via six concentric north-south transportation corridors, supplemented by a major east-west corridor investment and the extension of the Elgin-O Hare Expressway. Three alternatives for the I-88/I-290 east-west corridor are recommended for further consideration. This system recommendation reflects Concentric option 1 with the following modifications: Three I-290/I-88 corridor alternatives replace a BRT project evaluated. In the 1 st Ave. Corridor, a less capital-intensive Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) replaces the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) evaluated, and The Inner Circumferential Rail project that was evaluated with Concentric option 2 has been added. Construction cost estimate: $8.7 - $11.1 billion Operating cost estimate: $95-120 million (annually) 150 linear mile system System with second most environmental concerns 62,000 jobs I-290 to O Hare Airport IL 83 BRT Thorndale Ave to I-55 Inner Circumferential Rail O Hare to Midway Pros Best in achieving goals Connects people to the most jobs and richest mix of activity centers, including major airports I-355 HOT Lanes 90,000 jobs 1 st Ave ART I-90 to Midway Lawrence Ave to I-94 at 87 th St BRT and express bus could share facilities and provide direct service between many points Potential to strengthen and encourage economic development where north-south and east-west transportation corridors intersect 57,000 jobs exclusive-use BRT facilities (IL 59, IL 83 and MidCity) have a high level of reliability and can benefit emergency vehicles I-88 Express Bus IL 59 to I-355 I-88 HOT Lanes IL 59 to I-355 49,000 jobs 31,000 jobs I-355 and I-88/I-290 multimodal facilities benefit both auto and transit users and offer HOV, express bus and/or BRT travel options Cons BRT in expressway median is not easily accessed by the people and places it connects 28,000 jobs High cost of system IL 59 BRT IL 59 BRT I-88 to 95 th St I-88/I-290 to 95East-West th Street Corridor Alternatives: Blue Line Extension to Yorktown Blue Line extension to Lombard (Highland Ave) from Forest Park (Des Plaines Ave) I-88/I-290 HOT Lanes and Express Bus Express Bus from (Cicero Ave) to Yorktown and to Elmhurst/Addison I-88 HOV Toll (HOT) lanes from I-355 to I-290; and I-290 HOT from IL 83 to Cicero Ave Blue Line Extension to Yorktown and I-88/I-290 HOT Lanes and Express Bus Blue Line extension to Lombard (Highland Ave) from Forest Park (Des Plaines Ave) Express Bus from (Cicero Ave) to Yorktown and to Elmhurst/Addison I-88 HOV Toll (HOT) lanes from I-355 to I-290; and I-290 HOT from IL 83 to Cicero Ave Major employment center identified in Cook DuPage Corridor Travel Market Analysis (RTA, Dec. 2005) Inner Circumferential requires use of a key part of the CREATE freight plan for passenger service Requires extensive interagency coordination in facility planning, design, financing and operation Relies heavily on BRT, lane management and pricing strategies not yet tested in our region MidCity BRT cost and uncertain construction feasibility (currently under study by CDOT)
Concentric System: Project Information Project Name General Alignment Length Description Miles Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate* in millions Environmental Concerns Thorndale Ave, I-290 to O Hare Airport 4.4 Upgrade from arterial to limited access expressway; expansion from 4 to 6 lanes with additional ROW set aside for transit $1,625 Wetland and flood plain (Salt Creek) IL 59 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) IL 59, I-88 to 95th St. 7.7 One new outside lane in each direction for BRT and emergency vehicles only; includes reconstruction of BNSF overpass $132 Flood plain; 1 school I-290/IL 53, IL 58 (Golf Rd)/Schaumburg 25.9 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with center median stations operating on I-355 HOT lanes (see project below) $134 Wetland along I-290/IL 53; Flood plain along I-290/IL 53; I-355 HOT Lanes I-290/IL53, IL 58 (Golf Rd)/Schaumburg **25.9 One new High Occupancy Vehicle/Toll lane (HOT lane) in each direction $2,075 Wetland along I-290/IL 53; Flood plain along I-290/IL 53; IL 83 BRT [incl. portion of J Line] IL 83, Thorndale Ave. to I-55 16.7 One new outside lane in each direction for BRT and emergency vehicles only; includes a flyover at North Ave and reconstruction of UP and CCP overpasses. $272 Flood plain (Salt Creek); Peabody Estate/Mayslake Forest Preserve Inner Circumferential Rail Line IHB Railroad, Metra NCS O'Hare transfer station to Cicero Ave/55th Street (Midway) 21.0 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains operating on one new track primarily on IHB Rail Line. $1,081 1st Ave ART 1st Ave, I-90 to I-55; Archer Ave., I-55 to Cicero Ave./Midway Airport 19.3 Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (ART) operating mainly in general purpose traffic lanes with technological and select facility improvements for high operational performance/reliability. $131 Project was downgraded from a BRT to ART post-evaluation to avoid potential environmental concerns posed by 1st Ave floodplain, wetland and open space. Cicero Ave., I-90 to CTA Red Line/87th St 25.3 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) largely grade separated; includes bridge over I-55 $1,284 3 churches, 1 school I-88 Express Bus I-88, IL 59 to Yorktown 11.0 Express Bus operating on I-88/I-290 HOT lanes with standard bus shelters at destination stops $89 Wetland and floodplain (West Branch of the DuPage River. Open space (Morton Arboretum) I-88 HOT Lanes I-88, IL 59 to I-355 **11.0 One new lane in each direction managed as a High Occupancy Vehicles Toll (HOT) Lane on I-88 $881 Wetland and floodplain (West Branch of the DuPage River. Open space (Morton Arboretum). Total 131.3 $7,704 I-88/I-290 East-West Corridor Alternatives A B C Blue Line Extension to Yorktown, DesPlaines Ave to Yorktown 11.0 Grade separated heavy rail rapid transit in median of I-290; I-88 alignment not determined/evaluated. $2,329 Subtotals 11.0 $2,329 I-88/I-290 HOT Lanes One new lane in each direction managed as a High Occupancy Vehicle Toll (HOT) 19.9 Lane on I-88 and I-290, including I-290 Extension to IL 83 $918 I-88/I-290 Express Bus Express Bus operating on I-88/I-290 HOT lanes with standard bus shelters at **19.9 destination stops $148 Subtotals 19.9 $1,066 Blue Line Extension to Yorktown, DesPlaines Ave to Yorktown **11.0 Grade separated heavy rail rapid transit in median of I-290; I-88 alignment not determined/evaluated. $2,329 I-88/I-290 HOT Lanes One new lane in each direction managed as a High Occupancy Vehicles Toll 19.9 (HOT) Lane on I-88 and I-290, including I-290 Extension to IL 83 $918 I-88/I-290 Express Bus Express Bus operating on I-88/I-290 HOT lanes with standard bus shelters at **19.9 destination stops $148 Subtotals 19.9 $3,395 2 churches and 2 schools in I-290 Corridor, I-88 Corridor not evaluated. District (Oak Park), Oak Park Conservatory and Columbus Park (Chicago); 2 churches and 2 schools; open space (Morton Arboretum) District (Oak Park), Oak Park Conservatory and Columbus Park (Chicago); 2 churches and 2 schools; open space (Morton Arboretum) SYSTEM TOTALS 142.3 -- 150.2 8,770 -- 11,099 * Order of magnitude cost estimate includes unit cost based capital estimate, soft /engineering cost estimate of 30%, contingency estimate of 25% and vehicle cost estimate (if transit). **To avoid double-counting, the mileage of a capital investment that is entirely within the termini of another investment is not included in subtotals and system totals.
Radial Reliant System Recommendations The Radial Reliant system emphasizes major capital investment to expand and enhance the existing radial rail and expressway systems to better serve the needs of intersuburban and reverse commute travel markets. Two north-south capital investments are proposed in the center of the corridor, as well as short westward extension of the Blue Line to Maywood, to ensure connectivity to the corridor s identified major employment centers. The Technical Committee recommendation reflects Radial Reliant option 1 62,000 jobs Construction cost estimate: $4.6 billion Operating cost estimate: $137 million (annually) 175 linear mile system System with the most environmental concerns Strong in achieving goals IL 83 BRT Thorndale Ave to I-55 Pros Reliance on existing Metra commuter corridors can leverage investment in these facilities 90,000 jobs Metra MD-W Expansion Union Station to Elgin Potential for enhanced vitality and economic development of suburban downtowns Investment in existing Metra corridors may also benefit traditional commuters I-355 HOV/Toll (HOT) Lanes 57,000 jobs Metra UP-W Expansion Ogilvie T.C. to Geneva Blue Line Extension Extension to Maywood (1 st Ave) from Forest Park Reliance on existing system particularly in Chicago - may increase ridership on existing commuter rail, bus and rapid transit lines Cons I-88 HOV/Toll (HOT) Lanes I-355 to I-290 interchange 28,000 jobs 49,000 jobs 31,000 jobs I-290/I-88 BRT 1 st Ave to Yorktown (Highland Ave) I-290+Extension HOV Lanes 2 HOV lanes Cicero Ave. to I-88 interchange and 1 reversible HOV lane I-88 interchange to IL 83 Relies extensively on land and facilities owned by private railroad companies, requiring their individual cooperation and approval Cost and feasibility of Metra line projects are very uncertain and require extensive operational and physical analysis Practicality and feasibility of a single-lane reversible HOV facility on Eisenhower Extension Metra BNSF Expansion Union Station to Aurora The existing radial rail lines are not proximate to corridor employment centers Lack of available parking at existing commuter rail stations could limit access for intersuburban commuters Major employment center identified in Cook DuPage Corridor Travel Market Analysis (RTA, Dec. 2005) Likely requires service reduction of, or modification to, Metra traditional commuter service I-290 widening may require acquisition of right-of-way, primarily near Oak Park interchanges
Radial Reliant System: Project Information Project Name Metra Milwaukee District West (MD-W) Expansion Metra Union Pacific West (UP-W) Expansion Metra Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Expansion Blue Line Extension to 1st Ave General Alignment Length Description Miles Milwaukee District railroad, Union Station to Elgin 36.6 Union Pacific railroad, Ogilvie Transportation Center to Geneva Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, Union Station to Aurora 35.5 38.4 Commuter rail service for intersuburban and reverse commute; crossovers, track upgrades and two new stations Assuming prior construction of Metra's current UP-West Upgrade New Starts project with A-2 Interlocking relocation, this proposal represents an additional expansion for intersuburban and reverse commuters: new fourth main track River Forest to Elmhurst; related signal system upgrades, crossovers and track upgrades; and one new station. Metra's current New Starts project will construct a new third main track from River Forest to Elmhurst, signal system upgrades for the entire line, new crossovers, additional commuter parking, and A-2 Interlocking reconstruction and relocation. Commuter rail service for intersuburban and reverse commute; new fourth track from IL 59 to IL 53 and three new stations Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate* in millions, DesPlaines Ave to 1st Ave **0.6 Grade separated heavy rail rapid transit on the north side of I-290 $159 $108 $501 $280 Environmental Concerns Wetland and flood plain (West Branch of the DuPage River, Brewster Creek/Pratt's Wayne Woods); open space (Pratt's Wayne Woods) Wetland and flood plain (East and West Branches of the DuPage River, Lincoln Marsh Natural Area); open space (Lincoln Marsh Natural Area, West DuPage Woods FP, Winfield Mounds FP, West Chicago Prairie); national landmarks and historic districts - Austin Historic District (Chicago), Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District, River Forest Historic District, former Maywood Fire Dept. building.) Open space (Douglas Park in Chicago); national landmarks and historic districts - Riverside Landscape Architecture District, LaGrange Village Historic District. I-290/I-88 BRT I-290, 1st Ave to I-355 **11.6 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with center median stations operating on I-290 HOV lanes and I-88 HOT lanes (see projects below) $92 I-290+Extension HOV Lanes I-290, Cicero Ave. to IL 83 14.2 One new lane in each direction for High Occupancy Vehicles from Cicero Ave to I- 88/I-294, and one new lane (reversible, reverse commute orientation) on the I- 290 Extension from I-88/I-294 to IL 83. $374 District (Oak park), Oak Park Conservatory and Columbus Park (Chicago) I-88 HOV/Toll (HOT) Lanes 7.3 One new lane in each direction managed as a High Occupancy Vehicles Toll (HOT) Lane on I-88 $585 I-290/IL 53, IL 58 (Golf Rd)/Schaumburg 25.9 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with center median stations operating on I-355 HOT lanes (see project below) $134 Wetland along I-290/IL 53; Flood plains along I-290/IL 53; I-355 HOT Lanes I-290/IL 53, IL 58 (Golf Rd)/Schaumburg **25.9 One new High Occupancy Vehicle/Toll lane (HOT lane) in each direction $2,075 Wetland along I-290/IL 53; Flood plains along I-290/IL 53; IL 83 BRT [incl. portion of J Line] IL 83, Thorndale Ave. to I-55 16.7 One new outside lane in each direction for BRT and emergency vehicles only; includes a flyover at North Ave and reconstruction of UP and CCP overpasses. $272 Flood plain (Salt Creek); Peabody Estate/Mayslake Forest Preserve SYSTEM TOTALS 174.6 $4,580 * Order of magnitude cost estimate includes unit cost based capital estimate, soft /engineering cost estimate of 30%, contingency estimate of 25% and vehicle cost estimate (if transit). ** To avoid double-counting, the mileage of a capital investment that is entirely within the termini of another investment is not included in subtotals and system totals.