Metra says "Significant infrastructure improvements would be required..."
but I thought that the line was already 2 MT CTC territory that already
hosts passenger trains up to 79 mph, what "improvements" would they REALLY
need other than improvements related to station and layover facilities? Did
I miss something or am I just trying to use too much common sense? Maybe
additional passenger equipment, but then Metra probably thinks the only way
that they would sell the project to the BNSF would be to put in a third main
track to increase the capacity (read as more "storage" for trains that
aren't moving) of the existing track.
Ed Pavlovic
amtrak347@a... wrote:
In the March issue of Metra's commuter newsletter "On The (Bi)Level"
someone
asked Metra about extending service to Yorkville, Plano and Sandwich.
Their
response was:
"It's too early to say. Significant infrastructure improvements would
be
required, including track, signal, bridge, and grade crossing upgrades.
The
estimated cost could range from $100 million to $300 million. That's just
for physical improvements. Another issue is how the operating costs would
be
covered, as Kendall County is outside the RTA territory. Also, communities
would be asked to contribute mightily to station and parking lot
construction
costs."
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