Feds to Metra: Transit gridlock might kill rail upgrades, new projects

Gridlock in Springfield could lead to disastrous consequences for Chicago-area mass transit even beyond higher fares and service cuts, federal lawmakers warned today.

The Federal Transit Administration has told Metra officials that work on projects, including the STAR Line, which would link the North and Northwest suburbs with O'Hare International Airport, already is on hold.

And if state lawmakers fail to come up with a capital bill that provides matching dollars for transit improvements, the STAR Line and upgrades to the Union Pacific's North and Northwest lines could die, Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano cautioned.

At stake is about $1.5 billion in federal funds explained U.S. Reps. Melissa Bean and Mark Kirk during a press conference in Chicago.

"Mass transit is critical to suburban areas," said Bean, a Barrington Democrat. "We're here to tell our parties they need to get to the table."

State legislators are currently considering a policy to increase gambling in Illinois that could provide money for capital improvements.