TRANSIT MODERNIZATION PROGRAM
PROPOSED BY
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Estimated Cost - $152,000,000 Estimated Date of Completion - 1955
CHICAGO TRANSIT BOARD
Philip W. Collins George F, Getz,Jr.
William W. McKenna Frank McNalr
Irvin L. Porter James R. Qulnn
Philip Harrington Chairman
19^7
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FOREWORD
Chicago Transit Authority proposes as an Initial step toward a modern comprehensive local transit system for the Chicago Metropolitan Area, to buy and unify the transit prop- erties and operations of Chicago Surface and Rapid Transit Lines and to carry forward a 10 year program of modernization and extension of the existing services now furnished by those companies. It also proposes to buy the properties and equipment of the Chicago Motor Coach Company, and merge these transit operations with the city-wide system, provided these properties can be acquired at a reasonable price.
Jt is contemplated that suburban transit operations within the Chicago Metropolitan Ares also win be progressively acquired as rapidly as agreements may be reached with the municipalities served by those companies, and as fair prices for those properties can be determined. These will be pro- gressively Integrated with the Chicago city operations to pro- vide a modern comprehensive transit operation adequately serving the entire area.
On the assumption that the Authority will take over in 19^7 > and talcing as a base, the Improvements already furnished in 19^6 by the Surface Lines and those contemplated by them and by the Rapid Transit Lines in 19^7 » the accompanying report out- lines in detail, the Improvements, extensions, rehabilitations and new equipment which it is proposed to provide during each
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year of the 10 year modernization period. The recommended Improvements are provided for in the City Ordinance and reflect the result of extensive study and analysis of the existing operations and their relation to the transit and traffic requirements of the City, They represent the combined thought of experienced City and Transit Authority engineers, and of independent transit consultants of recognized standing and ability. It la believed also, that those charged with the direction of the present operations of the companies recognize the needs for improvements of substantially the same scope.
Obviously, as such a comprehensive program progresses, changing economic or traffic or riding conditions may demand modification of details as r^ow forecast, either as to time, route, type or location of any specific improvement. Subject only to this qualification, it is confidently believed that the program can be financially and physically achieved as scheduled.
At present day prices, it is estimated that the com- pletion of this ambitious ten-year improvement program will en- tall expenditure of ^132 ,^J^ ,"^00 , most of which will be over and above the cost of acquiring the existing properties from the operating companies. It contemplates the purchase of 2725 new buses, 1000 new elevated cars, 300 new street cars, a modern signal system on the entire elevated- subway system, miscellaneous improvements such as new shops, garages, rehabili- tation of elevated structures, etc, and a continuing policy of replacing vrorn-out and obsolete equipment vrith new vehicles.
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The portion of the Drogram contemplating substitution of rubber- tired vehicles for street cars has been coordinated with the City's ten-year schedule of new street pavements.
The need for more and con-veniently located fast rapid transit services for long-haul riding is recognized by the plans here Included: (1) for completion and equipment of the city- owned subways in Milwaukee Avenue and Dearborn Street; (2) for construction by the City of a rapid transit subway In Congress Street to the West Side; (3) for rapid transit station modifica- tion and reconstruction to facilitate transferring by long- distance riders from surface to rapid transit lines and (^) by providing for cross-town express bus service on streets such as Western Avenue and others as defined in the City Ordinance,
In addition to proceeding promptly with this long- range overhaul of the entire system, the Transit Board proposes to immediately budget at least ig2,000,000 annually to be devoted to providing on existing routes, more equipment and more frequent service pending the delivery of new, modern equipment,
A feasible plan for financing both the purchase of the existing properties and their modernization has been developed. It proposes the sale of revenue bonds which will be secured solely by the earnings of the operation, and by the right of Chicago Transit Authority to establish from time to time, equitable rates of fare sufficient for the payment of operating expenses and retirement of the debt, and for the cost of the modernization program.
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Even after adding to the cost of operation, the expense of purchasing the properties and financing this needed improve- ment program, it is confidently forecast that unless wages and prices continue to Increase, fares cpn be maintained at a reasonable level and certainly at levels comparable with any other large American city except Nevf York, which maintains an abnormally low fare through huge annual city taxes. In any event fares can be held at a level lower than the existing companies would find sufficient to support the expense of private operation and necessary modernization. This is made possible by economies due to unification and by the use of modern equipment, by lower interest rates, by exemption from local and Federal taxes, and by the elimination of the need to pay a return on invested capital or on the "reproduction value" of the property.
Unless prevented by the counter-effect of a nrohibitiVQ level of material and equipment prices, and wages, it is predicted that the additional riding and revenues which the modernization of these properties vjill attract, and the economies possible with faster operation of modern equipment, will combine to eventually produce declining rates of fare.
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CHICAGO TPIAMSIT AUTHORITY GENERAL SCOPE OF THE iJl^S ,000 ,000 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAlVl SCHEDULED FOR COi^LETION BY 1955
These Improvements relate to the Initial system compris- ing Chicago Surface Lines and Chicago Rapid Transit System, operat- ed as a unified system, and the extension thereof. There is pro- vided for the purchase of ;-
2725 buses which will replace the operation of
streetcars on 700 miles of track vrith modern
bus service, establish I50 miles of express
bus service, 220 round trip miles of extensions,
and the replacement of the older buses now in
operation. This equipment is estimated to cost-S39>500»300
SOO nevr streetcars which will modernize the service on the 3IO miles of track on which very heavy lines are operated and which will be retained as streetcar operation for an un- determined period. This equipment Is estimated to cost ^Ig, 9^9, 000
New Garages, car houses and shops, and modern-r-
Izing existing housing facilities to adequately
service the new equipment and. provide more
efficient operations. These facilities are
estimated to cost -^---------^--- 115,000,000
Other improvements to surface transit
facilities Including the Authority's obligation
for payments for repaving of bus route streets
estimated to cost ^ i|, 175,000
1000 modern type rapid transit cars which will replace all of the wooden elevated cars. This equipment is estimated to cost -------- $50*000,000
A modern signal system on the elevated lines
which will assure safe spacing of trains on all
parts of the system estimated to cost ----- $10,300,000
Rehabilitation of the elevated structure, painting and remodeling of stations, and re- building of stations to facilitate transfer from Surface Lines to Elevated-Subway services estimated to cost » 7,^100,000
Shops to efficiently maintain the new elevated- subway oars and other improvements on the rapid transit system estimated to cost ------- -$ 6,550 » 000
Total estimated cost of 10 yr. program- |152, 37^,300
As other properties are acquired such as Chicago Motor Coach Company or suburban lines, this program will be expanded to provide essential improvements on those routes,
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19^6
1946 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
While the year 19^6 has passed, the improvements in- stalled by Chicago Surface Lines in thalt year are part of the overall program. The benefits from theise improvements will not be fully realized for an entire year until 19^7.
Actual
ON THE SURFACE LINES Cost
277 gas buses $3,318,000
This permitted:
The substitution of buses for streetcars on seven routes, permitted the elimination of 60 miles of track.
The establishment of four new routes and extended service on four routes, totaling 5^ round trip miles of added service.
New express bus service on Cicero , Archer and State between the Airport and the Loop, 22 miles.
6g new streetcars ---------------- $1»513>0Q0
These were placed in service on the Clark- Wentworth line,
TOTAL COST OF NEW EQUIPMENT PLACED IN SERVICE IN 19^^6-^^^,831,000
Not included in the above total was the acquisition of land for new garages and terminals, and npw tools and shop equipment purchased with the Surface Liner renewal funds.
Minor improvements were made on various parts of the Rapid Transit System and considerable engineering work was done in connection with the City-owned subwpys now under construction and on a signal system for the elevated lines.
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19M-7 IMPROVEMENT IROGRAt^l
Estimated ON THE SURFhCE LINES Cost
188 gas buses now on order ---------- |2,35^>200
These will be used for:
Substitution of buses for streetcars permitting the elimination of 13S miles of track.
New routes or extensions totaling 28 routes or extensions totaling 28 round trip miles,
155 Trolley buses now on order --------- ,>2,525»OO0
These will permit the substitution of trolley buses for streetcar service, and allov; for the elimination of ^^ miles of track,
512 new street cars now on order -------- |,12, 156,000
These cars will be sufficient to equip four major streetcar lines.
Overhead line construction for trolley bus
routes ^ 200,000
Land and Buildings I 1,000,000
This expenditure will completely re- model an existing facility for use as a combination bus garage and car house and accuire land for additional garages,
TOTAL SURFACE LIKES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN 19^7" a8,235>g0O
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
The ElevatedtSubwa-y experimental tr?ln of
8 cars will be delivered before the end of
the first half of 19^7 |._ ^00 ,000
This train will be thoroughly tested to determine the standard for future orders for Elevated-Subway care,
TOTAL COST OF COITAL IMPROVEMENTS ON THE COMBINED
SYSTEM IN 19^7 -^18,635 »gOO
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chicacx) transit authority
iqlt-g II-JPROVEIlSNT PRO&RAi^I
Estimated ON THE SURFACE LINES Cost
250 gas buses .33,500,000
These will be substituted for streetcars and permit the elimination of 65 miles of track; provide extensions totaling k-B round trip miles, and 17« 5 roilce of express bus sorvice, 55 trolley buses now on order -_--------.;,? 902,500
These will replace streetcars and permit the elimination of 12 miles of track. 20 new streetcars, completing the 600-car order -'•} ^30,000
Land and Buildings for additional garages ~ - - -.'j2, 000, 000
Now Shops and Miscellaneous Equipment - -■,? 500,000
For off-street terminals for streetcars and bus lines, for tools and the start on a nc^f general shop.
Overhead line construction for the trolley bus
routes _____-, ___-_ ,^ 175,000
Payment to City for paving abondoned streetcar right-of-way ;; 300,000
Appropriation for relocating off-center street- car tracks -----__„______-.-_^« -j? 50 , 000
TOTAL SURFACE LINES CAPITAL I14PR0V EI4ENT S IN I9i|g jy, 907, 500
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
65 Elevated- Subway cars for use on the Milwaukeo- Lake-Dearborn Subway -^-________-_- •;':3, 250,000
Modern signal system starting on West Side lines- vl, 500,000
Rebuilding the Wells St. viaduct and structure
improvement in various places --__---.,„ ~,;^ 500,000
Addition to the Electric Distribution System- - —} 100,000
Structure clearances for wider cars - - _ ~ - - -.^ 200,000
Payment to City for subxi/ay transportation
equipment -j 150.000
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT CaPITaL Ii'IPR0VEI4ENTS IN I9l|g .,J5. 700,000
TOTAL COST OF CAPITAL BlpROVEI'IENTS FOR COMBINED
sxsTm IN i9i|g ^ ^3, 607, 500
In 19^g work will be intenslflod on the City-built Milwaukoe-Lake-Dearborn subway, looking to the beginning of operation in 19^^-9,
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19^9
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY IQllQ IMPROVEMENT PROGRAl^I
' Estimated
ON THE SURFACE LINES ^^Cost
250 gas buses - ^3,500,000
These will bo substituted for streetcars,
permitting the removal of IO3 miles of
track, and adding 2.6 round trip miles of
new service.
Construction and fixtures in three new garages- :|2, 000,000
New Shops and Miscellaneous Equipment $ 500,000
For off-street terminals for streetcars and bus lines, for tools, and for new general shop.
Rehabilitation of overhead lines -^ 200,000
Payment to City, for saving abandoned streetcar right-of-way '- ^ 300,000
Approporation for relocating off-center street-
car tracks ^ 50^000
TOTAL SURFACE LINES CAPITAL li^ROVEMENTS IN l^^S - - :?6 .550 ,000
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
115 Elevated- Subvmy cars -•75,750,000
65 will complete the Milwaukee-Lakc-Dcarborn subway service, and 50 will supplement service elsewhere.
Modernizing 225 o^ "^^^ present steel elevated- subway cars -r f 300,000
Installation of a modern sign?\l system with
substantial work on the North Side and South
Side- .n, 500, 000
Improvements to "L" structure at Vearious places--;? 500,000
Complete rebuilding of Logan Square station to
facilitate transfers ^^^^-^-v---^^ --^ 100,000
Additions to the Electric Distribution system'- ^'^ 100,000
Structure clearances for wider cars - - - - v 200,000
Special shop tools for maintaining new cars - - •,? 200,000
Payment to City for subway transportation
equipment , i 250,000,
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT CAPITAL IIvIPROVEl'^iENTS IN 19I+9- - s?g,900,00_0
TOTAL COST OF CAPITAL IIiPROVEl-iENTS FOR COMBINED
SYSTEM IN 191+9 . 015,1^50,000
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1950
CHICA&O TRANSIT AUTHORITY 1950 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAlyl
Estimated
ON THE SURFACE LINES Co st
300 buses- "-^ 1;,^-, 550 ,000
100 will be used in replacing older buses and 200 in substituting buses for street- cars, permitting removal of 4-9 miles of track and providing for 16 miles of new service,
100 new streetcars for replacement of older cars- - |>2,i+00,000
Land and Buildings for two new garages- ------ | 500,000
New Shops and Miscellaneous Equipment- ------ -^.1 ,000,000
For off-street terminals for streetcar and bus lines and for further work on the general shop*
Rehabilitation of overhead line ' -$ 200,000
Payment to City for paving abandoned streetcar
right-of-way $ 300,000
Appropriation for relocating off-center streetcar
tracks ^ 50,000
TOTAL SURFACE LINES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN I95O ^9 lOOO ,000
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
200 Elevated-Subvay cars for use on the West Side lines . f 10, 000, 000
Completion of modernizing the present elevated- subway steel cars- -------------- $> 300,000
Signal system work on North Side and on Lake St.- $. 1,500,000
Rebuilding of stations at various locations and
structures improvements- --t-----------| 1,000,000
Rebuilding of Kimball Ave. and Cottage G-rove
stations to facilitate transfers __----.| 100,000
Additions to the Electric Distribution System $ 100,000
Structure clearances for wider cars ------- -^ 200,000
Moving columns fx-'om main traffic roadways - - - - $ 25,000
Expenditures for a West Side major overhaul shop - $ 300,000
Payment to City for subway transportation equipment-! 250,000
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN I950 ^13.775»000
TOTAL COST OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR COMBINED , ^^ ^^^ ^^^
SYSTEM IN 1950 - ^22,775,000
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1951
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
1951 Improvement PROGRAjyi
Estimated ON THE SURFACE LINES Cost
300 buses ____ $4,550,000
100 will be used in replacing older buses and 200 will be substituted for streetcars , per- mitting removal of ^5 miles of track, and also providing for 35 miles of express bus service, for 14 miles of new local service.
100 new streetcars for replacement of older cars- |)2,i^-00,000
Construction work on a new bus garage ------$ 500,000
Construction work on the new main shop ----- $1,000,000
Overhead line construction to rehabilitate the
present system ----------------- $ 200,000
Payment to City for paving abandoned streetcar
right-of-way 4 300,000
Appropriation for relocating off«^center street- car tracks. $. 50,000
TOTAL SURFACE LINES CAirlTAL IMtROVEMENTS IN I95I ■g9>QQ0.000
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
200 elevated-subway cars for use on the West Side
lines -$10,000,000
Additional work on the installation of a modern
signal system -- ______ | 1,500,000
Remodeling and moderniz.ing stations and structure improvements in various locations --------^ 1,000,000
Rebuilding of Jackson Paik station and Halsted
(Englewood) station to facilitate transfers |> 100,000
Structure clearances for v/ider cars -------$ 200,000
Moving columns from main traffic roadways- - - - |. 25,000
Further expenditures for IVest Side overhaul shop- % 200,000
Payment to City for subway transportation equip- ment $ 350>000
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT C'-iFITAL IM:^R0VEMENTS IN I95I - - -^13. 375. OOP
TOTAL COST OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR COMBINED
SYSTEM IN 1951 - ^22,375,000
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CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY 1952 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Estimated ON THE SURFACE LINES Cost
275 buses P7T50700O
75 V.111 be used to replace older buses, and 200 will be substituted for streetcars, permitting removal of 64 miles of track, and providing for I5 miles of new service.
New garage buildings to house buses - ^ -, - - - - $1,000,000
Additional sections of the main general shop - - -$1,000,000
Additional overhead line construction to
rehabilitate the present system -^.--^.---.--1 200,000
Payment to City for paving abandonded streetcar right-of-way ,--^ ^ $ 300,000
Appropriation for relocating off-center streetcar
tracks ---,- — _____-__. ___^___ | 50 ,000
TOTiiL SURFACE LINES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN I952 - - »6, 700 ^000
ON THE RAPXP TR'U^SIT LINES '
112 Elevated-Subway cars for replacement of wooden
cars ^---,--^^-------r.--- $5,600,000
Additional work on the Installation of a modern
signal system --^--^--^^-t-----.- $1,500,000
Remodeling and modernizing stations and structure Improvements at various places --T-----r-r-- ^1,000,000
New Loomis (Englewood) station to facilitate
transfers n-----T----r---------- $ 100,000
Structure clearances for wider cars ------- :^ 200,000
Moving columns from main traffic roadways - - - - $ 25,000
Appropriation for easing curves --------- $ 200,000
An additional section on the new West Side shop - $ 200,000
Payment to City for subway transportation equip- ment ---------------------- I 350»ooo
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT CAirlTAL IMFROVEi^ENTS IN I952 - $9,1715,000
TOTAL COST OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR COMBINED
SYSTEM IN 1952 ^15,875,000
By this time, if the work can be financed by the City, the iS'33>500,000 Ivest Side subway (requiring $8,000,000 additional for transportation equipment) is expected to be approaching comple- tion,
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1953
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY 1953 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Estimated ON THE SURFACE LINES Cost
275 buses $^^-,150,000
75 will be used in replacing older buses, 200 will be substituted for streetcars permitting the renewal of ^6 miles of track, and providing for 14- miles of new service.
Additional construction of new garages to house
and service buses ---------_-_--_- $1,000,000
Further additions to the new main shop ----- ;^1,000,000
Overhead line construction to rehabilitate the
present system.- -------- ____ ^ 200,000
Payment to City for abandoned streetcar right-of- way _-_ _ ^ 300,000
Appropriation for relocating off-center street- car tracks ---------------__-_ -| 50,000
TOTAL SURFACE LINES CAPIT.'U. IMPROVEMENTS IN I953 ^6,700,000
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
100 Elevated-Subway cprs for replacement of
wood cars ----^-----r---------_ I5, 000, 000
Additional work on the installation of a signal
system _______ _ _ $il, 500,000
Remodeling and modernizing stations and structures-1,000,000
Structure clearances for wider cars -------^ 200,000
Moving columns from main traffic roadways- - - - -| 25,000
Additional appropriation for easing curves- - - - |, 200,000
Additional construction and equipping the new
West side shop ----------------- |, 200,000
Payment to City for subway transportation equipment 350>000
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN 1953 - - ^8,^75,000
TOTAL COST OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR COMBINED
SYSTEM in I953 ^15,175,000
At this stage it is planned to push to completion, by the City, the East-Vest subways in Washington St. and Jackson Blvd. to speed up both mass transit and street traffic in the downtown district,
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CHICA&O TRANSIT AUTHORITY
r954 im:^rovement program
' ' Estimated
ON THE SURFACE LINES Cop t
200 buses sj ,000,000
These will be used in the substitution of buses for streetcars, permitting removal of 6l miles of track »and providing for 1^ miles of new service.
Construction of additional garage facilities to
house buses $1,000,000
Payment to City for paving abandoned streetcar
right-of-way % 300,000
Appropriation for relocating off-center street- car tracks $ 50 ,000
TOTAL SURFACE LINES COITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN IS^k $^,350>000
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
100 Elevated-Subway cars to replace wood cars- $5,000,000
Remodeling and modernizing stations and struc- ture improvement will continue -------- ;s)l,000,000
Additional work on a modern signal system - $1,000,000
Moving columns from main traffic roadways - - - :;> 25,000
Additional expenditures for the new West Side
shop ^ 200,000
Payment to City for subway transportation equip- ment $ 350.000
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT CAPITA IMPROVEMENTS IN 195^" - $7>575,000
TOTAL COST OF CApIT-^iL IMPR0VFJ4ENTS FOR COMBINED
SYSTEM IN 195^- - $11,925,000
The seven year superhighway program, if completed in this year will permit the installation of express bus service to the far northwest side and to the new airport over the Northwest Superhighway, Express bus service can be given to the far south over the South Side Superhighway, and to the west side over the Congress Street Superhighway. These would total upwards of 70 miles of round trip route.
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CHICAtrO TRANSIT AUTHORITY 1955 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAiX
"~*'' Estimated
ON THE SURFACE LINES Cost
200 buses ------------.-- , ^3,000,000
These will be used in the substitution of buses for street cars on tv/o major routes replacing 50 miles of track, 1^ miles of extension and 21 miles of express bus.
Construction will be completed on garages to
house and service buses, cost ----------- $1,000,000
Payment to City for paving abandoned streetcar
right-of-way % 300,000
Appropriation for relocating off-center street- car track- -------------------- I 50,000
TOTAL SURFACE LINES IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ^^,350.000
ON THE RAPID TRANSIT LINES
100 Elevated-Subwsy cars to complete the re- placement of all wood cars- ---------- ^^5,000,000
Completion of worlt on a modern signal system
for the Elevated __-_^^___ |, g00,000
Completion of modernizing and decorating stations
and structure improvements ------------ |1, 000, 000
Moving columns from main traffic roadways - - - - ^ 25,000
Final completion and equipping the V.est Side Bhop- i 200,000
Payment to City for subway transportation equip- ment ___ ,^ ^ 350, OQQ
TOTAL RAPID TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS IN 1955 '^7, 375, 000
TOT^ COST OF CAPIT.^ IMPROVEMENTS FOR COMBINED
SYSTEI^i IN 1955 ^'>11,725,000
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The HF Group
Indiana Plant WT 114396 1 2 00
11/12/2007
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