The CTA we didn’t get
By John R. SchmidtThe CTA we didn’t get
By John R. SchmidtA few weeks ago I mentioned the Silver Line, an “L”-subway proposed by CTA. Last time I checked, the line had not advanced beyond the talking stage.
Chicago’s transit planners have never been afraid of making big plans. In 1958 CTA issued a detailed wish-list for the future titled “New Horizons.” Most of these proposals were never implemented, probably because of cost. Still, it is interesting to consider the transport system we might have had.
Streetcars on Washington Street crossed the Chicago River in a tunnel. During the 1930s the city proposed extending the tunnel all the way to Michigan Avenue, to ease congestion in the Loop. This was an update of the plan, featuring 1950s Twin Coach propane buses. It was never built.
This drawing was titled “Easing Sharp Curves.” It’s clearly the Brown Line at North-Halsted (with a bus running on Clybourn, BTW). CTA later straightened some sharp curves at Kinzie-Franklin and Harrison-Wabash. But at this location, the tracks still snake around in their original route.