Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about O’Hare Express

Elon Musk says he can dig a tunnel to O’Hare and transport air travelers via "electric pods." Illustration: Jonathan Roth

Selection of Finalists for O’Hare Express Takes Us a Step Closer to a Muskian Boondoggle

By John Greenfield | Mar 21, 2018 | 14 Comments

If Musk, who has made questionable claims about tunnel digging technology, wins the contract, it's even more likely that this dubious project will wind up being a waste of taxpayer money.

A highly realistic rendering of Musk's "electric pod" proposal. Image: Jonathan Roth

City Announces Competitors for O’Hare Express, Including Noted Transit Hater Elon Musk

By John Greenfield | Feb 7, 2018 | 17 Comments

Three other teams are also in the running to build the controversial luxury service.

Transpo Advocates Discuss the Latest Plans for O’Hare Express

By John Greenfield | Dec 13, 2017 | 27 Comments

After reviewing the details from the RFQ, local transportation leaders aren't sure if the project would be a boon or a boondoggle.

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Musk Says He’ll Compete to Build O’Hare Express, Active Trans Says It’s a Low Priority

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Nov 30, 2017 | 7 Comments

The project's request for qualifications identifies three possible routes and four potential stations.

The O'Hare Blue Line station. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

Like It or Not, the RFQ for the O’Hare Express Means the Project Is Moving Forward

By John Greenfield | Nov 29, 2017 | 31 Comments

Some say it will be a boon for Chicago, others say it will be a boondoggle.

A Hong Kong Airport Express train. Photo: Shankar S.

Why Hong Kong Got an Express Train to the Airport and Why Chicago Shouldn’t Get One

By Steven Vance | Mar 30, 2017 | 17 Comments

The Hong Kong Airport Express train is a bad example on which to base a Chicago service because it's the Hong Kong airport's only rail link, and it was funded by private real estate operations.

What’s the Best Way to Provide “Great Airport Transit” to O’Hare?

By John Greenfield | Mar 16, 2016 | 11 Comments

Earlier this month public transit consultant Jarrett Walker ran a post on his blog Human Transit that’s highly relevant to Chicago as we weigh the pros and cons of Mayor Emanuel’s proposal for an express train to O’Hare. In Walker’s article “Keys to Great Airport Transit,” he argues that certain elements are crucial for providing […]

Will CMAP Stop Prioritizing Increasing Road Capacity in Next Regional Plan?

By Steven Vance | Mar 10, 2016 | 3 Comments

This is the second post in a two-part series on the upcoming ON TO 2050 regional plan. The first discussed public outreach goals for the new plan, and this one critiques its predecessor, GO TO 2040. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has launched the process to create the successor to the regional comprehensive plan, […]

Critics Say the O’Hare Express Plan Is Lousy. Could CrossRail Improve It?

By John Greenfield | Feb 29, 2016 | 16 Comments

[The Chicago Reader recently launched a new weekly transportation column written by Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield. This partnership allows Streetsblog to extend the reach of our livable streets advocacy. We syndicate a portion of the column on the day it comes out online; you can read the remainder on the Reader’s website or in […]

City Will Select Engineering Team Next Month to Brainstorm O’Hare Express

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Feb 15, 2016 | 25 Comments

It looks like there may actually be some traction for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s grand plan for express rail service to O’Hare Airport. Yesterday the city announced that by March it will select an engineering team to develop conceptual designs, including routes and terminal options. The CTA Blue Line is already an efficient way to travel […]

High Speed Rail Association: Use Metra Tracks for O’Hare Express

By Steven Vance | Sep 2, 2015 | 49 Comments

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and aviation commissioner Ginger Evans stated earlier this year that creating an express train to O’Hare Airport is a priority for this administration. However, the Blue Line is already a fairly speedy way to get to the airport, which could easily be upgraded via a few short-term improvements. Therefore, the city might be […]

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