Photos from 35th St. viaduct next to Guaranteed Rate Field the night of White Sox Legislative Caucus two weeks ago! Holds up lots of train tracks!!! Right next to the ball park.
==1984 was a great year and all, but the Tigers are hot garbage and will likely be that way for the forseeable future.==
I don’t know–these are dark times for the Tigers, but they made three straight ALCSes from 2011-2013 and have been in the World Series four times in the past 50 years (compared to two for both Chicago teams combined). They don’t have a great farm system, but it’s not one of the ten worst systems in baseball. The Tigers have a lot of top-tier developing pitching talent, and that combined with league-average payroll and historically weak competition in the AL Central should make them viable in two years or so.
=, but they made three straight ALCSes from 2011-2013 and have been in the World Series four times in the past 50 years (compared to two for both Chicago teams combined).==
Would trade one WS Title for “close but no cigar” 100 times out of 100.
Highly doubt this viaduct in the clout heavy 11th Ward looked much different 3 1/2 years ago.
All of the infrastructure problems in Chicago are apparently Rauner’s fault 100% and not the Mayor, Alderman, State Rep, State Senator or Congressman, all of whom have been Democrats for decades.
I am sure all of the resisting and obstruction of the current administration on virtually every issue by Senator Durbin and Duckworth will back a lot of new Federal money to Illinois for infrastructure improvements
==I don’t know–these are dark times for the Tigers, but they made three straight ALCSes from 2011-2013 and have been in the World Series four times in the past 50 years (compared to two for both Chicago teams combined).==
Cubs have also currently been to three LCS’s in a row, and both Chi teams have a world series in last 15 years.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:03 pm:
When a majority of the rail lines in the city were raised above street level a century ago, I’m sure the last thing on anyone’s mind was the need for replacement at 2018 material and labor prices. Take heart, the expressways fall apart faster than the rail bridges.
==Mind your own business, we White Sox like the exclusivity that comes with smaller more discerning crowds. Kind of a “Boutique” program.==
Not even a White Sox fan but I’d argue that seeing a White Sox game is a more enjoyable experience than going to Wrigley. No idiots on the CTA, food and beer is cheaper, more room to spread out, can actually focus on the game.
Complete incompetence. It’s really not a joking matter.
This could result in catastrophic loss of life.
It also puts the taxpayers of Illinois in a precarious position as the piggy bank of any liability claims.
Lack of simple health and safety management priorities should bother people. For heavens sake, a little regular paint on the steel would have kept it from rusting. The USNavy keeps beaucoup steel ships painted and rust free, for Decades, but what ever department is responsible for this doesn’t understand basic metallurgy?
Interesting comments about who’s at fault. With little information about who is actually responsible. Is this really a railroads job. And, if so, who should be inspecting this and hopefully levying huge fines.
This kind of neglect happens at the lowest operational level, not at an executive or political level.
Either there is incompetent front-line supervision and the maintenance isn’t being scheduled, or the actual maintenance people aren’t performing the scheduled maintenance.
The perfect symbol for Illinois’ failed political leadership.
I bet if that rusting corroded public safety hazard made campaign contributions, it would have been “taken care of” a long time ago.
The ownership of that viaduct is pretty convoluted. Metra owns one track throught there on which they run their Soutwest (Chicago - Manhattan) service, while all the side tracks and the the container yard are owned by Union Pacific.
This appears to be an overpass shared by METRA and private RRs (including the bankrupt Penn Central and its successors). Ask who has the responsibility for upkeep.
Mr Dillard,
As a Metra commuter can’t say I am surprised. Would suggest you spend some time of the platform between tracks 2 and 4 and union station, or the platforms in general on the south side of the station.
Here is the caption…
The RTA, sometimes better than driving, but we are working on that.
or
The RTA, at least our spending on late notes is up
or
The RTA, it isn’t our fault, it is our funding, seriously, nothing is ever our fault.
or
Underfunding, a convenient excuse for not taking ownership of any problem and loving it.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:07 am:
Ummm, duck!
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am:
If only we had a regional agency that focused on transit to take care of crumbling transportation infrastructure like this.
- Perrid - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am:
“Look out below!”
- Duopoly - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am:
Monument names : 1) Two-Party Rule - will of the people
2) USA - A failed state.
3) Big Shoulders
4) The City that Works.
- Tribe - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am:
The White Sox would be more invested to fix it if people actually traveled to attend their games
- DuPage - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am:
Was in the budget 2 years ago. Oh wait, there was no budget.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am:
The foundation of Governor Rauner’s re-election plans.
- Saluki - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am:
Illinois.
- Al - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:16 am:
Dillard Spoofs Miller…
With an MRI of the Governor’s mind.
- Roar - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:16 am:
Chicago- it’s like Detroit, with worse baseball
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:19 am:
Washington Street has “The Picasso”. 35th Street has “The Rauner”.
- Put the fun in unfunded - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:24 am:
“Some railroad tracks that Metra/RTA doesn’t own, just leases the right to use from a private company that’s responsible for maintaining them”
- BucknIrish - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:24 am:
==If only we had a regional agency that focused on transit to take care of crumbling transportation infrastructure like this.==
Exactly, why would be post this and not be embarrassed by it.
- Zeep Bow - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:24 am:
==Chicago- it’s like Detroit, with worse baseball==
1984 was a great year and all, but the Tigers are hot garbage and will likely be that way for the forseeable future.
- Chris Widger - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:34 am:
==1984 was a great year and all, but the Tigers are hot garbage and will likely be that way for the forseeable future.==
I don’t know–these are dark times for the Tigers, but they made three straight ALCSes from 2011-2013 and have been in the World Series four times in the past 50 years (compared to two for both Chicago teams combined). They don’t have a great farm system, but it’s not one of the ten worst systems in baseball. The Tigers have a lot of top-tier developing pitching talent, and that combined with league-average payroll and historically weak competition in the AL Central should make them viable in two years or so.
- Levois - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:34 am:
Wait a second. I think I went over those tracks on my way to Detroit recently. O_O
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:36 am:
Looks fine to me—Rahm
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:39 am:
I walk that viaduct from Lot G when I drive to Cominskey. It’s been in that kind of shape forever. Just sayin’.
- Flat Bed Ford - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:41 am:
The very foundation of White Sox baseball
- Skeptic - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:44 am:
“What you’re seeing isn’t what you’re seeing.”
- Zeep Bow - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:49 am:
=, but they made three straight ALCSes from 2011-2013 and have been in the World Series four times in the past 50 years (compared to two for both Chicago teams combined).==
Would trade one WS Title for “close but no cigar” 100 times out of 100.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:54 am:
That’s not a CTA footing. That’s for other cargo trains. Those bridges are in horrible condition throughout the city.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:56 am:
Highly doubt this viaduct in the clout heavy 11th Ward looked much different 3 1/2 years ago.
All of the infrastructure problems in Chicago are apparently Rauner’s fault 100% and not the Mayor, Alderman, State Rep, State Senator or Congressman, all of whom have been Democrats for decades.
I am sure all of the resisting and obstruction of the current administration on virtually every issue by Senator Durbin and Duckworth will back a lot of new Federal money to Illinois for infrastructure improvements
- JS Mill - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:58 am:
=The White Sox would be more invested to fix it if people actually traveled to attend their games=
Mind your own business, we White Sox like the exclusivity that comes with smaller more discerning crowds. Kind of a “Boutique” program.
At least that is what I ahve been telling myself since 2005.
Kirk Dillard, just mentioning him makes me sad for what could have been.
- BucknIrish - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:59 am:
==I don’t know–these are dark times for the Tigers, but they made three straight ALCSes from 2011-2013 and have been in the World Series four times in the past 50 years (compared to two for both Chicago teams combined).==
Cubs have also currently been to three LCS’s in a row, and both Chi teams have a world series in last 15 years.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:03 pm:
When a majority of the rail lines in the city were raised above street level a century ago, I’m sure the last thing on anyone’s mind was the need for replacement at 2018 material and labor prices. Take heart, the expressways fall apart faster than the rail bridges.
- Zeep Bow - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:04 pm:
==Mind your own business, we White Sox like the exclusivity that comes with smaller more discerning crowds. Kind of a “Boutique” program.==
Not even a White Sox fan but I’d argue that seeing a White Sox game is a more enjoyable experience than going to Wrigley. No idiots on the CTA, food and beer is cheaper, more room to spread out, can actually focus on the game.
But Wrigley as an experience is great too.
- Anon - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:04 pm:
Nothing a little naval jelly and Rustoleum can’t fix!
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:07 pm:
CHICAGO
– MrJM
- Cocoa Dave - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:08 pm:
The best government that money can buy!
- cdog - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:08 pm:
Complete incompetence. It’s really not a joking matter.
This could result in catastrophic loss of life.
It also puts the taxpayers of Illinois in a precarious position as the piggy bank of any liability claims.
Lack of simple health and safety management priorities should bother people. For heavens sake, a little regular paint on the steel would have kept it from rusting. The USNavy keeps beaucoup steel ships painted and rust free, for Decades, but what ever department is responsible for this doesn’t understand basic metallurgy?
Disgusting.
- A guy - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:15 pm:
Getting ready for the Cubs to visit…
- Huh? - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:16 pm:
If only the State had RTW and no prevailing wage law, this could be fixed tomorrow.
- Huh? - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:31 pm:
Don’t believe what you’re seeing, that’s solid steel.
- Montrose - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
The famous Comiskey stalactites.
- Res Melius - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:41 pm:
While Illinois politicians posture, rust never sleeps.
- Just Me - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:42 pm:
47th Ward — If only that agency had capital funds.
- JoanP - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:56 pm:
In the event of the viaduct collapsing, try a plastic bucket on your head: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-wrigley-scoreboard-fan-hit-20180726-story.html
- Huh? - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:15 pm:
Physical example of damage to state government caused by 1.4% failure to do his job.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:19 pm:
“Coming Soon-Hardhat Night at Sox Park”
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:36 pm:
===Highly doubt this viaduct in the clout heavy 11th Ward looked much different 3 1/2 years ago.===
You’d be wrong https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8308448,-87.6372097,3a,75y,71.88h,77.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smmCRJIsTR9gtWIrBNQt7KA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
- Jimbo2 - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:38 pm:
Interesting comments about who’s at fault. With little information about who is actually responsible. Is this really a railroads job. And, if so, who should be inspecting this and hopefully levying huge fines.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:55 pm:
LP: so sad, so pwned.
- cdog - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:21 pm:
This kind of neglect happens at the lowest operational level, not at an executive or political level.
Either there is incompetent front-line supervision and the maintenance isn’t being scheduled, or the actual maintenance people aren’t performing the scheduled maintenance.
There is plenty of money…
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:27 pm:
That’s gonna’ need both chemotherapy and radiation?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:28 pm:
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am:
The foundation of Governor Rauner’s re-election plans.
We have an instant winner!
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:29 pm:
“Illinois! We’re rotten from the inside out!”
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:32 pm:
This could easily be propped up with a stack of old toilets.
- Nobody Sent - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:46 pm:
The perfect symbol for Illinois’ failed political leadership.
I bet if that rusting corroded public safety hazard made campaign contributions, it would have been “taken care of” a long time ago.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:01 pm:
Rod breaking out of his prison cell in Shawshank Redemption.
- train111 - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:05 pm:
The ownership of that viaduct is pretty convoluted. Metra owns one track throught there on which they run their Soutwest (Chicago - Manhattan) service, while all the side tracks and the the container yard are owned by Union Pacific.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:15 pm:
Sorry Rich, the link just comes up with a map no photo
- Lefty Lefty - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:20 pm:
“Hey our infrastructure is crumbling!”
“Let’s cut taxes!”
“Hey our voting system has been compromised and needs an investment in security upgrades!”
“Let’s cut taxes!”
“Hey the city just spent a billion dollars on police misconduct settlements and has another half billion in TIF accounts!”
“Let’s cut taxes!”
“Hey the military just got $717 billion from Congress, about $25 billion more than last year!”
“Let’s cut taxes!”
“Hey the economy is hurting!”
“Let’s cut taxes!”
“Hey the economy is great!
“Let’s cut taxes!”
And the band played on….
- Cook County Commoner - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:20 pm:
“Chicago-The City That Shirks”
- Ares - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:38 pm:
This appears to be an overpass shared by METRA and private RRs (including the bankrupt Penn Central and its successors). Ask who has the responsibility for upkeep.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:43 pm:
the Great Chicago Tunnel flood comes to mind… Take picutre …wait a week to develp and then….. oh well nevermind you know the rest of the story.
- zatoichi - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
It either art or homeopathic construction. As strong as it needs to be. Put some white paint on it.
- OneMan - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 4:04 pm:
Mr Dillard,
As a Metra commuter can’t say I am surprised. Would suggest you spend some time of the platform between tracks 2 and 4 and union station, or the platforms in general on the south side of the station.
Here is the caption…
The RTA, sometimes better than driving, but we are working on that.
or
The RTA, at least our spending on late notes is up
or
The RTA, it isn’t our fault, it is our funding, seriously, nothing is ever our fault.
or
Underfunding, a convenient excuse for not taking ownership of any problem and loving it.
- Mama - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 6:47 pm:
They will find money to fix it after the trains start raining down.
- Eire17 - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 6:52 am:
Cubs Bullpen