Passenger Trains > FRA/IDOT approval EIS for CHI-STL Route

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,2919316
Following up on this thread. The Metra Rock Island District
from Chicago to Joliet was chosen because
A) It would cost $500 million less than the original GM&O Route.
B) Less grade separations are needed. The Rock Island crosses the
CN (Ex EJ&E) at Joliet (Which can be easily grade separated) and
that's it. The Englewood flyover project will eliminate that crossing.
C) The Alternative plan calls for Amtrak to use the 40th St connection
over the Dan Ryan Expressway and onto the NS to gain access to Union
Station.
D) And here's the kicker, triple tracking the Rock from Root St (40th St)
to Joliet with a double track connection to the UP.
E) There is currently a single track connection between the Metra Rock
Island to the UP at Joliet.
F) Joliet has been waiting for the route decision before finalizing
construction on the new depot and platforms.
G) Project completion is set for 2017.
Interesting times coming for our area. Dan Tracy Joliet IL

To: dt8089

Thanks for the info. Very interesting. However, will you clarify two things for me:

1. When you say "on to the NS for the trip to Union Station", are you referring to a connection from the Rock to the former PRR mainline, south of Englewood, and then using the Pensy mainline, through the former Englewood station, into Union Station?

2. Would triple tracking the Rock from 40th Street to Joliet encompass almost the entire route? How many miles of triple tracking is contemplated?

Thanks for any help.

Joe

floridajoe2001 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To: dt8089
>
> Thanks for the info. Very interesting. However,
> will you clarify two things for me:
>
> 1. When you say "on to the NS for the trip to
> Union Station", are you referring to a connection
> from the Rock to the former PRR mainline, south of
> Englewood, and then using the Pensy mainline,
> through the former Englewood station, into Union
> Station?

They will use the old Stockyards line (CJ) from Root St
that presently goes over the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94)
near 40th St and then connect with the old Pennsy (Now NS)
for the run up to Union Station.

> 2. Would triple tracking the Rock from 40th
> Street to Joliet encompass almost the entire
> route? How many miles of triple tracking is
> contemplated?

Looking at around 35 miles.
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Joe
Your welcome. Dan

Here's a link with maps.

http://idothsr.org/pdf/feis_vol_1/appendix_a.pdf

> They will use the old Stockyards line (CJ) from
> Root St
> that presently goes over the Dan Ryan Expressway
> (I-90/94)
> near 40th St and then connect with the old Pennsy
> (Now NS)
> for the run up to Union Station.

I work at 75th and Racine, and cross under the elevated crossing of the ROCK over the BRC/NS at 79th st. I've noticed on the west side there is an abandoned portion of the viaduct. The aerial view indicates this was a connection to the Rock... which if practical in other regards would not require the sharp wye curve of the 40th st. connection. It looks like it was only single track though.

---

dt8089:

Thanks for the link.

I hope all of this work will actually be done; but it's very ambitious--especially triple tracking the entire Rock to Joilet, and putting 2 more tracks on the McArthur Bridge into St. Louis (making it 4 tracks from the current 2).

All this might just be a "good idea"; unless, however, Illinois actually has enough stimulus money to cover all this, I hope so.

Joe

inRVA Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > They will use the old Stockyards line (CJ)
> from
> > Root St
> > that presently goes over the Dan Ryan
> Expressway
> > (I-90/94)
> > near 40th St and then connect with the old
> Pennsy
> > (Now NS)
> > for the run up to Union Station.
>
> I work at 75th and Racine, and cross under the
> elevated crossing of the ROCK over the BRC/NS at
> 79th st. I've noticed on the west side there is an
> abandoned portion of the viaduct. The aerial view
> indicates this was a connection to the Rock...
> which if practical in other regards would not
> require the sharp wye curve of the 40th st.
> connection. It looks like it was only single track
> though.

Yes, this was the connection from the Rock Island
to the BRC. However the best way to Union Station
is via the 40th St. connection or a connection at
Englewood. Dan