As I recall, the existing “L” or elevated trains in Chicago, have a direct line from downtown to O’Hare.
If there’s already a train running, why the need for another?
Or to look at another way, why not run some express trains non stop from downtown to O’Hare on the existing tracks? Then you would have a non stop train ride to the airport.
It sounds like a huge expenditure for very little additional public benefit.
How about from Dulles to The National Mall?
Oh, but this isn't about public benefit. This is about huge expenditure.
“As I recall, the existing “L” or elevated trains in Chicago, have a direct line from downtown to O’Hare.”
You’re right. I rode it, round trip, back in 1990 when I had a one day business trip to Chicago. Took 40 minutes each way and was better than a cab on the expressway, a cab ride that can depend as much as two hours, depending on the traffic. The only trouble is the coaches are ordinary commuter ones and not equipped for luggage.
When I lived in the Chicago area, when flying out I took Metra to the Jefferson Park stop and took the El to the airport. Easy trip. This sounds like wasteful duplication, par for the course for Chicago.
“As I recall, the existing “L” or elevated trains in Chicago, have a direct line from downtown to O’Hare.”
You are correct. I was wondering the same thing myself as I have ridden that elevated train to O’Hare. Perhaps there is a real estate angle as that line owns a lot of valuable downtown real estate.
As I recall, the existing “L” or elevated trains in Chicago, have a direct line from downtown to O’Hare
You’re right! And it’s still there It’s called the blue line ,.Fact is there is an “L” connection to both city airports Midway and O’Hare.