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Caption contest!

Posted in:

* Wednesday afternoon text from RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard after he saw yesterday’s caption contest…

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.

One of the pics he sent…

Yikes.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:05 am

Comments

  1. Ummm, duck!

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:07 am

  2. If only we had a regional agency that focused on transit to take care of crumbling transportation infrastructure like this.

    Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am

  3. “Look out below!”

    Comment by Perrid Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am

  4. Monument names : 1) Two-Party Rule - will of the people
    2) USA - A failed state.
    3) Big Shoulders
    4) The City that Works.

    Comment by Duopoly Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am

  5. The White Sox would be more invested to fix it if people actually traveled to attend their games

    Comment by Tribe Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:12 am

  6. Was in the budget 2 years ago. Oh wait, there was no budget.

    Comment by DuPage Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am

  7. The foundation of Governor Rauner’s re-election plans.

    Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am

  8. Illinois.

    Comment by Saluki Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am

  9. Dillard Spoofs Miller…

    With an MRI of the Governor’s mind.

    Comment by Al Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:16 am

  10. Chicago- it’s like Detroit, with worse baseball

    Comment by Roar Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:16 am

  11. Washington Street has “The Picasso”. 35th Street has “The Rauner”.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:19 am

  12. “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”

    Comment by Put the fun in unfunded Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:24 am

  13. ==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.

    Comment by BucknIrish Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:24 am

  14. ==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.

    Comment by Zeep Bow Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:24 am

  15. ==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.

    Comment by Chris Widger Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:34 am

  16. Wait a second. I think I went over those tracks on my way to Detroit recently. O_O

    Comment by Levois Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:34 am

  17. Looks fine to me—Rahm

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:36 am

  18. I walk that viaduct from Lot G when I drive to Cominskey. It’s been in that kind of shape forever. Just sayin’.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:39 am

  19. The very foundation of White Sox baseball

    Comment by Flat Bed Ford Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:41 am

  20. “What you’re seeing isn’t what you’re seeing.”

    Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:44 am

  21. =, 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.

    Comment by Zeep Bow Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:49 am

  22. That’s not a CTA footing. That’s for other cargo trains. Those bridges are in horrible condition throughout the city.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:54 am

  23. 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

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:56 am

  24. =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.

    Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:58 am

  25. ==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.

    Comment by BucknIrish Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:59 am

  26. 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.

    Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:03 pm

  27. ==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.

    Comment by Zeep Bow Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:04 pm

  28. Nothing a little naval jelly and Rustoleum can’t fix!

    Comment by Anon Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:04 pm

  29. CHICAGO

    Hog Butcher for the World,
    Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
    Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:07 pm

  30. The best government that money can buy!

    Comment by Cocoa Dave Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:08 pm

  31. 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.

    Comment by cdog Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:08 pm

  32. Getting ready for the Cubs to visit…

    Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:15 pm

  33. If only the State had RTW and no prevailing wage law, this could be fixed tomorrow.

    Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:16 pm

  34. Don’t believe what you’re seeing, that’s solid steel.

    Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:31 pm

  35. The famous Comiskey stalactites.

    Comment by Montrose Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:35 pm

  36. While Illinois politicians posture, rust never sleeps.

    Comment by Res Melius Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:41 pm

  37. 47th Ward — If only that agency had capital funds.

    Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:42 pm

  38. 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

    Comment by JoanP Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:56 pm

  39. Physical example of damage to state government caused by 1.4% failure to do his job.

    Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:15 pm

  40. “Coming Soon-Hardhat Night at Sox Park”

    Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:19 pm

  41. ===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

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:36 pm

  42. 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.

    Comment by Jimbo2 Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:38 pm

  43. LP: so sad, so pwned.

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:55 pm

  44. 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…

    Comment by cdog Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:21 pm

  45. That’s gonna’ need both chemotherapy and radiation?

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:27 pm

  46. - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:14 am:

    The foundation of Governor Rauner’s re-election plans.

    We have an instant winner!

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:28 pm

  47. “Illinois! We’re rotten from the inside out!”

    Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:29 pm

  48. This could easily be propped up with a stack of old toilets.

    Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:32 pm

  49. 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.

    Comment by Nobody Sent Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 2:46 pm

  50. Rod breaking out of his prison cell in Shawshank Redemption.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:01 pm

  51. 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.

    Comment by train111 Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:05 pm

  52. Sorry Rich, the link just comes up with a map no photo

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:15 pm

  53. “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….

    Comment by Lefty Lefty Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:20 pm

  54. “Chicago-The City That Shirks”

    Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:20 pm

  55. 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.

    Comment by Ares Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:38 pm

  56. 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.

    Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:43 pm

  57. It either art or homeopathic construction. As strong as it needs to be. Put some white paint on it.

    Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:49 pm

  58. 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.

    Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 4:04 pm

  59. They will find money to fix it after the trains start raining down.

    Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 6:47 pm

  60. Cubs Bullpen

    Comment by Eire17 Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 6:52 am

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