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The Burnham Transportation Plan of Chicago : 100 Years Later

CTS-IGERT Weekly Seminar April 23, 2009 Joseph DiJohn Urban Transportation Center. The Burnham Transportation Plan of Chicago : 100 Years Later. The Plan of Chicago. Chicago’s dramatic population surge 1812: 100 people 1900: 1.7 million Great Fire of 1871

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The Burnham Transportation Plan of Chicago : 100 Years Later

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  1. CTS-IGERT Weekly Seminar April 23, 2009 Joseph DiJohn Urban Transportation Center The Burnham Transportation Plan of Chicago: 100 Years Later

  2. The Plan of Chicago Chicago’s dramatic population surge 1812: 100 people 1900: 1.7 million Great Fire of 1871 Rapid growth led to congestion, chaos, poverty, and air & water pollution Burnham envisioned beauty and efficiency

  3. The Plan of Chicago Chapter V Transportation Freight Transit Intercity Rail Water, Mail

  4. Chicago, the Freight Hub “Chicago has been made largely by the railroads, and its future prosperity is dependent upon them”

  5. A Freight System in Chaos • In 1908, 22 railroads operated in Chicago • Delays and inefficiencies already apparent • Coordination among railroads seen as necessary

  6. Burnham’s Plan for Freight Burnham proposed a centralized clearinghouse for freight and a unified system of traffic handling

  7. In hindsight… Rail congestion has been a continual problem Decentralization of facilities Deregulation of rail industry CTCO CREATE program

  8. Goods Delivery “No goods should be carried into or out of the congested business center except those needed for construction, for retailing, or for consumption in that territory”

  9. Goods Delivery “Bridge traffic” identified Neither originates or terminates in downtown Huge factor still today Downtown delivery problem Needs of businesses vs. desires of communities Current issues of regional planning

  10. Water Transportation “A careful analysis of freight traffic in Chicago shows that 95%, in and out, is done by railroads, and only 5% is done by water”

  11. Waterfront Development Burnham did not foresee the CBD shift from commerce to service, entertainment, residential, and leisure South bank rail facilities vacated in the 60s Grant and Millennium Parks

  12. Freight Tunnels Burnham’s plan called for the utilization “as far as it will go in carrying out a complete system of underground distribution”

  13. Underground Freight 1900: construction begins on 60-mile underground tunnel system 1939: construction begins on transit subway system 1959: freight tunnels abandoned Shift in markets 1992: Great Chicago Flood

  14. Freight Loops • Burnham proposed a series of loops: • A: elevated transit • B: B&O CT • C: Belt Railway • D: Indiana Harbor Belt

  15. Freight Loops Outer Loop: EJ&E freight bypass CN acquisition STAR Line? Congestion problems identified in Plan persist and their solutions are still being debated

  16. Hours of Delivery Plan suggested deliveries 1 am – 7 am Does not meet needs of businesses Conflicts with suburban desire for quiet Still under debate today

  17. Mail Service • Plan suggested post office separate from courthouse or other public building • Make post office centrally located • Largest post office in world in Chicago

  18. Street Plan • Grids • Circuits • Radials • Metropolitan center

  19. Passenger Surface Lines Surface lines (streetcars) followed grid Last cable car operated in 1893 Last streetcar operated in 1958 Loop was the only circuit constructed (1893) Current Plans West Loop Transportation Center Circle Line Carol Avenue Corridor

  20. The Loop • Elevated system constructed in 1893 • Proposals to extend service beyond Loop • 1924: Consolidation of six rapid transit lines • 1945: CTA formed • 1973: RTA formed

  21. Passenger Subways Proposed in Plan First subway began construction in 1939 under State St. (Red Line) 1950’s Dearborn St. Subway (Blue Line) Chicago Urban Transportation District Light rail circulators abandoned for lack of funding

  22. Elimination of Grade Crossings “Lines entering the densely inhabited parts of the city should not cross each other or carriage roads at grade.” • Ordinance raising rights-of-way

  23. Beautification “A delightful station conduces to cheerfulness as a man goes to work and comes home, while a shabby or neglected station produces the opposite effect.”

  24. Passenger Terminals Plan proposed two stations Clinton (Union, Ogilvie) 12th Street (never built)

  25. Passenger Terminals • 1909: • Six stations • 180,000 commuters • 1,300 trains/day • 2009 • Four major stations • 300,000 commuters • 700 trains/day

  26. The Plan after 100 Years Mixed results Consolidation of passenger terminals Consideration of region’s needs over individual railroads’ needs Burnham excelled at providing leadership, vision, and advocacy

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