What is the SouthEast Service?

The proposed 33-mile SouthEast Service (SES) is a new transportation line that would link close to 20 communities in the south Suburban Cook and Will counties corridor, providing new opportunities for travel to downtown Chicago, employment, and economic growth and development for the south suburbs.

Why is this project necessary?

As the regional population and labor pool grows in the SES Corridor, we have to think and act strategically to provide transportation where it is needed and prevent any further congestion along our roadways as people travel into the city for work. We must also recognize and address the need to attract new employment opportunities in the south suburbs as population growth in this area is consistently outpacing job growth.

How much will this project cost??

The current cost capital estimate for the SouthEast Service including professional services and contingencies is $778 million in 2010 dollars.

How will the SES Line be funded?

The project has been authorized under the Safe, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Additional funding will be sought under the next federal multi-year transportation authorization, anticipated to begin in 2011 or after.

In November 2001, through the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) transportation bill, Congress awarded Metra three Full Funding Grant Agreements for major new service projects. That funding led to the recently completed improvements on the North Central Service (NCS) and extensions to the Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line and the SouthWest Service (SWS). New service began on these lines in January of 2006, on-time and $50 million under budget.

Our success under TEA-21 gives Metra confidence it will be successful in moving the SAFETEA-LU New Starts projects forward through the federal process to further expand service in your community.

Similar to our past New Starts projects, state money will be a necessary component of the overall funding package. Also, local funds to be put toward parking and community stations will be needed, as it has been with other infrastructure improvements.

What are Metra's goals and objectives for the SES and Corridor?

Generally, goals and objectives, identified along with Corridor stakeholders are:

• Improving Mobility
• Preserving the Environment
• Providing a Cost-Effective Transportation System
• Supporting Increased Economic Development
• Integrating Land-Use Planning, Design and Control in Transit System Design
• Supporting Transit-Oriented Development and Redevelopment
• Improving the Quality of Life for Study Corridor Residents

What state/federal guidelines are being followed?

Before Metra can implement any new service or expand existing service, projects must undergo several feasibility and environmental studies to ensure all federal and state guidelines are met. Metra must comply with the federal New Starts process which requires documentation and rigorous studies to justify these commuter rail alternatives best address the transportation needs and issues within the corridors. The first step in this process is called Alternatives Analysis.

What is Alternatives Analysis?

Alternatives Analysis (AA) is a bridge between systems planning, 'the idea,' and Preliminary Engineering (PE), "how to build it." It's where local, regional and federal governments work together to identify the transportation issues within a corridor, define the purpose and need for the transportation improvements, and develop and evaluate potential transportation alternatives to meet that need. Although several of the communities along the proposed project corridors are undertaking, or have already completed, some studies of their own, Metra is mandated by law to take the proposed projects through an entire roster of studies, or Alternatives Analysis. Continuous public involvement and any information previously generated by the communities is an important part of the overall analysis, and Metra plans to build upon the data generated from these studies.

What are the results of the Alternatives Analysis?

The AA study considered a wide range of modes and alignments including traditional buses running on arterial streets, bus rapid transit on IL-394 and I-94 and commuter rail on existing freight and commuter rail lines. The AA recommends the commuter rail alternative as the proposed locally preferred alternative.

What would the SES Commuter Rail Alternative entail?

The SES Commuter Rail Alternative would include up to ten new commuter rail stations plus service to two existing intermediate Metra stations on the Rock Island Line at Gresham and 35th Street. It would also include a maintenance facility at the southern terminal of the line, near Balmoral Park. The LaSalle Street Station would be the downtown terminal for the SES Commuter Rail Alternative. The proposed locally preferred alternative includes 24 trains per day, but that schedule is subject to change as the project moves forward.

What are the next steps in this process?

After incorporating public feedback, Metra anticipates completing Alternatives Analysis for the SouthEast Service by the end of 2010. Following, Alternatives Analysis, Metra will undertake Environmental Analysis And Preliminary Engineering, followed by Final Design and Construction.

How would the SES benefit South Suburban commuters?

Connecting the south suburbs to the city of Chicago offers residents improved access to downtown jobs, schools, shopping, entertainment and other regional attractions.

How would the SES benefit the business community?

Business and real estate opportunities in the south suburbs also could expand, as developers look to take advantage of transit-oriented development and greater access to the region's labor pool. Development within the south suburbs could also lead to an enhanced tax base as property values increase and retail sales grow.

How would the SES fuel transit-oriented development?

New service in this corridor would provide opportunities for area communities to promote economic growth and development by using commuter rail as a catalyst. Many communities along the proposed SES line are already planning redevelopments, and in Glenwood, on Nugent Square, a four-story, mixed-use development was recently completed adjacent to the proposed SES line station in that community.

How will the public be kept informed?

Metra will continue to keep the public informed via our Website at www.metraconnects.metrarail.com.

Will Metra hold public meetings about the SES Alternatives Analysis Study?

Metra has held conduct public meetings on each of the New Start projects, giving the public an opportunity to offer their input. A first round of public meetings were held in June 2006, and the boards and presentations for those meetings as well as a summary of the comments received at those meetings are found on the materials page . The second round of public meetings will take place in September 2010. After the meetings are completed, boards and presentations for those meetings will be posted on the materials page . The public can offer feedback at the comments page.

How can I support the SouthEast Service?

We encourage you to support this project by staying involved and voicing your support to Metra and your elected officials. Public comments will be taken at the comments page on this website as well as at public meetings for the study.

When will a decision be made?

Based on feedback from the public and from state, federal and local agencies, Metra will select a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). Metra expects to complete the Alternatives Analysis by the end of 2010.

If approved, how long will this project take to complete once construction begins?

Planning, Engineering and Environmental phases of the project are slated to be completed in 2015. Construction could take 4-5 years after that. This schedule is dependent on numerous factors including obtaining the necessary approvals from the Federal Transportation Administration and successfully securing the funding needed to build and operate this project.

What will be the SouthEast Service's impact on the Metra Electric District?

Metra expects that the SouthEast Service will have a minimal and short-lived impact on the Metra Electric District Line. In the past when Metra has opened new lines, Metra has initially seen slight decreases in ridership along nearby lines, however, within a few years the ridership along the existing lines have exceeded their prior levels of ridership.