An 80-mph train running through the middle of River Forest? Four times in each direction every hour? I’d be a little surprised if that happened. I think the outcry over lights at the tennis courts last year will feel like a convivial garden party compared to what we’ll see if the O’Hare Flyer moves another inch forward.
I kind of like the idea myself, but as an east-side Oak Parker, I don’t live anywhere near the train and would not be affected by it at all. And I can see how River Foresters might not like it. Nonetheless, I think it would be pretty cool if travelers could get downtown from O’Hare in 15 minutes. It would be great for the city and, generally, what’s good for Chicago is good for surrounding suburbs.
Maybe it would be more palatable as a toll train. There could be an iPass-like device that records travel on the tracks and sends a payment to River Forest coffers every time a train passes through. Even more enticing would be a station where inbound travelers could disembark and stay for a Frank Lloyd Wright tour or where outbound travelers could board a train for an eight-minute trip to O’Hare.
But seriously, 80 mph each way every 15 minutes? Hard to imagine a groundswell of support for that.
Karl Lauger
Oak Park