Star:Line Chicago
@starlinechicago.bsky.social
Suburbanite. Sustainable transportation advocacy, for Chicago and Chicagoland. #BuildTheTunnel
“The smart, transit-oriented [social media] account” -Chicago Tribune
Planning, building, breaking, rebuilding.
“The smart, transit-oriented [social media] account” -Chicago Tribune
Planning, building, breaking, rebuilding.
Pinned
Now imagine if the train came every 7.5 minutes because we took four existing Metra lines, ran them half-hourly, coordinated their schedules, and connected them down the same corridor.
That’s CrossTowner regional rail.
And that’s why we need to #BuildTheTunnel.
🔗 www.yard-social.com/crosstowners
That’s CrossTowner regional rail.
And that’s why we need to #BuildTheTunnel.
🔗 www.yard-social.com/crosstowners
Next year, many people who rely on our votes - the Governor, MBJ, county executives - will be tasked with appointing the NITA board. Now is the time to start putting political pressure on them to pick members committed to thinking regionally rather than the same old silos that got us into this mess.
What is the best way to move forward on building up that political will? I feel like the project would need to pretty explicitly demonstrate the economic value it’d create as a service multiplier but also most transportation planning in Chicago seems to be top-down vs. this bottom-up approach.
December 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Next year, many people who rely on our votes - the Governor, MBJ, county executives - will be tasked with appointing the NITA board. Now is the time to start putting political pressure on them to pick members committed to thinking regionally rather than the same old silos that got us into this mess.
If you have insomnia, I have good news: you can now fall asleep at MACH speed merch.metra.com/collections/...
Metra 505 (SD70MACH) Body Pillow
Our massive body pillow is ready your child (or you) to have sweet dreams filled with their favorite Metra train. Pillow measures 15" high x 49" long.
merch.metra.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
If you have insomnia, I have good news: you can now fall asleep at MACH speed merch.metra.com/collections/...
At D Line construction costs – $0.9-1.0B/mi + ~$200m/station – Chicago could #BuildTheTunnel for about what we’ve locally committed for the Red Line Extension.
And if we can do it for RLE, it’s just a matter of regional political will.
And if we can do it for RLE, it’s just a matter of regional political will.
December 10, 2025 at 1:36 PM
At D Line construction costs – $0.9-1.0B/mi + ~$200m/station – Chicago could #BuildTheTunnel for about what we’ve locally committed for the Red Line Extension.
And if we can do it for RLE, it’s just a matter of regional political will.
And if we can do it for RLE, it’s just a matter of regional political will.
In light of the weather for the past week or two, really looking forward to hundreds of pounds of wet snow sliding off of the greenhouse roof right onto State Street whenever we get a winter thaw
December 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
In light of the weather for the past week or two, really looking forward to hundreds of pounds of wet snow sliding off of the greenhouse roof right onto State Street whenever we get a winter thaw
ICYMI: Pace is in the preliminary planning stages of a new "bus on shoulder" operation that can't use the shoulder in 1 of the most congested parts and believes a 2700' walk is a reasonable transfer to Metra. Open house tonight in Forest Park; survey also available: www.pacebus.com/I-290-I-88-s...
December 9, 2025 at 11:38 PM
ICYMI: Pace is in the preliminary planning stages of a new "bus on shoulder" operation that can't use the shoulder in 1 of the most congested parts and believes a 2700' walk is a reasonable transfer to Metra. Open house tonight in Forest Park; survey also available: www.pacebus.com/I-290-I-88-s...
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
A year ago I was getting properly tunnel-pilled in Munich, perhaps the ur-example of how a city can transform itself for the better once they #BuildTheTunnel en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_...
December 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A year ago I was getting properly tunnel-pilled in Munich, perhaps the ur-example of how a city can transform itself for the better once they #BuildTheTunnel en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_...
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Please see IL SB2111. Page 169. NITA Law Enforcement Task Force. Safety is the utmost concern among all the transit agencies, municipalities, counties and labor unions.
Cutting federal funding does nothing to improve safety.
Cutting federal funding does nothing to improve safety.
Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed back Tuesday against the Trump administration’s threat to cut off federal transit funding unless the Democratic leaders “take immediate action” to bolster CTA security.
Pritzker rejects Trump administration threat to cut funding over CTA safety issues: 'Action has been taken'
chicago.suntimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Please see IL SB2111. Page 169. NITA Law Enforcement Task Force. Safety is the utmost concern among all the transit agencies, municipalities, counties and labor unions.
Cutting federal funding does nothing to improve safety.
Cutting federal funding does nothing to improve safety.
A lame-duck board seat opened up at the CTA www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/09/c...
CTA board vacancy an opportunity for Mayor Brandon Johnson before he loses mayoral control of transit agency
A vacancy on the CTA’s board of directors could give Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson a chance to exert some control over the transit agency’s future.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
A lame-duck board seat opened up at the CTA www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/09/c...
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Feds order transit safety plan that’s actually in the new transit bill
Feds order transit safety plan that’s actually in the new transit bill
* Tribune…
President Donald Trump’s administration has issued a blistering order for the city and state to come up with a safety plan to boost police on the CTA and take other steps or once again risk vital federal funding.
In letters Monday to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Trump’s Federal Transit Administrator [...]
dlvr.it
December 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Feds order transit safety plan that’s actually in the new transit bill
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Babe, wake up: the South Shore Line posted a test train timelapse video of the new Monon Corridor, dashing through the snow on the new electrified route set to open in the 1st quarter of 2026! ⚡️🛤️
youtu.be/oPP610icJHI
youtu.be/oPP610icJHI
Monon Corridor Test Train Run
YouTube video by My South Shore Line
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Babe, wake up: the South Shore Line posted a test train timelapse video of the new Monon Corridor, dashing through the snow on the new electrified route set to open in the 1st quarter of 2026! ⚡️🛤️
youtu.be/oPP610icJHI
youtu.be/oPP610icJHI
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Every once in a while at work, someone clears out a cubicle or closet that was being used to store random stuff and a few framed pictures turn up. Found this concept art for Caltrans' F59PHI locomotives from the early 90s
December 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Every once in a while at work, someone clears out a cubicle or closet that was being used to store random stuff and a few framed pictures turn up. Found this concept art for Caltrans' F59PHI locomotives from the early 90s
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Many people are saying #buildthetunnel, right @starlinechicago.bsky.social?
Hot take: now that Chicago officially has the worst traffic in the country I am starting to think that everyone who can should switch as many trips as they can to bikes, transit and even carpooling to reduce and avoid said traffic as well as improve sustainability, mobility, and health. Sue me.
December 9, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Many people are saying #buildthetunnel, right @starlinechicago.bsky.social?
A year ago I was getting properly tunnel-pilled in Munich, perhaps the ur-example of how a city can transform itself for the better once they #BuildTheTunnel en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_...
December 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A year ago I was getting properly tunnel-pilled in Munich, perhaps the ur-example of how a city can transform itself for the better once they #BuildTheTunnel en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_...
Capital costs are very much a different issue but periodic reminder that the CTA does not receive any regular operating funding from the federal government
The Federal Transit Administration is demanding that the CTA take immediate action to improve safety or risk losing funding. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/federal-transit-administration-cta-funding-threat/
Federal Transit Administration threatens funding if CTA does not improve security
The Federal Transit Administration is demanding that the CTA take immediate action to improve safety or risk losing funding.
www.cbsnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Capital costs are very much a different issue but periodic reminder that the CTA does not receive any regular operating funding from the federal government
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Sign the bill, governor
Hop on, Chicago! Take a ride on the beloved CTA Holiday Train, and spread some cheer all across the city.
December 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Sign the bill, governor
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Lyft is hiring an Operations Specialist to help manage our 1000+ Divvy stations in Chicago. Hands-on, analytical role that supports the GM of Divvy, works closely with CDOT & helps shape how the system grows. Ideal for someone passionate about biking! app.careerpuck.com/job-board/ly...
Operations Specialist
Lyft Operations Specialist is where you apply online to the Operations Specialist role.
app.careerpuck.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Lyft is hiring an Operations Specialist to help manage our 1000+ Divvy stations in Chicago. Hands-on, analytical role that supports the GM of Divvy, works closely with CDOT & helps shape how the system grows. Ideal for someone passionate about biking! app.careerpuck.com/job-board/ly...
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Reminder that this is tonight at 6p. Signup link: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-ct...
December 8, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Reminder that this is tonight at 6p. Signup link: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-ct...
I do not care to admit how long it took me to figure out the “up up up!” song was also the K-pop song that literally everyone talked about all summer long
December 8, 2025 at 6:17 AM
I do not care to admit how long it took me to figure out the “up up up!” song was also the K-pop song that literally everyone talked about all summer long
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Eric’s ordeal this morning could’ve been a single train that ran every half hour, which is why we need to #BuildTheTunnel
December 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Eric’s ordeal this morning could’ve been a single train that ran every half hour, which is why we need to #BuildTheTunnel
Eric’s ordeal this morning could’ve been a single train that ran every half hour, which is why we need to #BuildTheTunnel
December 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Eric’s ordeal this morning could’ve been a single train that ran every half hour, which is why we need to #BuildTheTunnel
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
CrossTowners 101:
🔵 The Tunnel connects the MED to the UP-N/UP-NW via Union Station. Within the Tunnel, 4 half-hourly “inner” Metra routes would interline, providing a train every 7.5min between 67th and Clybourn
🟢 2 Surface Lines also run thru at Union Station for additional regional connectivity
🔵 The Tunnel connects the MED to the UP-N/UP-NW via Union Station. Within the Tunnel, 4 half-hourly “inner” Metra routes would interline, providing a train every 7.5min between 67th and Clybourn
🟢 2 Surface Lines also run thru at Union Station for additional regional connectivity
December 6, 2025 at 11:53 PM
CrossTowners 101:
🔵 The Tunnel connects the MED to the UP-N/UP-NW via Union Station. Within the Tunnel, 4 half-hourly “inner” Metra routes would interline, providing a train every 7.5min between 67th and Clybourn
🟢 2 Surface Lines also run thru at Union Station for additional regional connectivity
🔵 The Tunnel connects the MED to the UP-N/UP-NW via Union Station. Within the Tunnel, 4 half-hourly “inner” Metra routes would interline, providing a train every 7.5min between 67th and Clybourn
🟢 2 Surface Lines also run thru at Union Station for additional regional connectivity
Reposted by Star:Line Chicago
Good evening, I think we should #BuildTheTunnel
December 6, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Good evening, I think we should #BuildTheTunnel
Going to file away the “the Kennedy Expressway has never stopped improving itself” line for a future response to a future Trib Ed board editorial
Review: Like the Kennedy Expressway, the Joffrey Ballet’s “Nutcracker” has never stopped improving itself.
Review: In its 10th year, the Joffrey Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ is the best version of itself
Any hint of clunkiness or awkwardness has been smoothed away in the Christopher Wheeldon version that has become the Joffrey’s beloved, Chicago-set holiday production. And there is a new Stat…
trib.al
December 7, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Going to file away the “the Kennedy Expressway has never stopped improving itself” line for a future response to a future Trib Ed board editorial