STAR Line

The STAR Line, in its entirety, is a vision for non-radial commuter transit choices in the Chicago region. Anchored along existing circumferential rail facilities, the proposal includes strategic connections to major employment centers.

The initial proposal of the Suburban Transit Access Route (STAR) Line is for new transit infrastructure serving non-radial markets along the Northwest Tollway (I-90) and the Outer Circumferential (EJ&E) Corridor in Cook, DuPage and Will Counties. The proposal also includes potential future phases; east and north segments to serve Lake and Will Counties and an Inner Circumferential Service to serve central Cook County between Midway and O’Hare Airports.

The first phase of the STAR line will, over 55 miles, connect nearly 100 communities. Using two dedicated transportation corridors, the first runs approximately 36 miles along the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E) railroad corridor connecting several suburban communities in western DuPage County with Joliet in western Will County and Hoffman Estates in northwest Cook County. The second corridor runs approximately 19 miles along the Northwest Tollway (I-90) connecting communities in northwest Cook County with O’Hare International Airport.

Project information

Cost: The Joliet to O’Hare phase of the project is estimated to be completed in 2017. Project capital cost is estimated at $2.7 billion (in 2009$). Annual operating costs have not yet been estimated.

Connectivity: A primary benefit of the STAR Line is the additional connectivity that it creates. The STAR Line connects to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Union Pacific-West (UP-W), Milwaukee District-West (MD-W) and North Central Service (NCS) Metra lines and also connects to the CTA Blue Line. A number of Pace and CTA bus services also would connect to this facility, as well as the proposed “J-Line” BRT and proposed transit service along the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway.

Safety and security: N-S portion of route will provide travel alternative for IL 31, IL 25, IL 59, Weber-Naperville Rd, IL 53 and I-355 in the event of an incident. E-W portion of route provides travel alternatives for I-90, IL 72, IL 58, IL 19 and Elgin-O’Hare Expressway in the event of an incident. Route also provides evacuation route from O’Hare Airport.

Bicycle and pedestrian accommodation: stations will be integrated into existing bicycle and pedestrian travel networks.

Consistency with subregional plans: The project is recommended in the Will County 2030 Recommended Transportation Plan portion of the Will County Land Use Plan. The project is also supported in Kane County’s 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan and 2030 Land Resource Management Plan for its potential benefits to eastern Kane County travelers. It is also considered supportive project for both the Cook-DuPage corridor study and the DuPage Area Transit Plan. The City of Elgin supports the project within its Comprehensive Plan & Design Guidelines document. The Village of Hoffman Estates and the Village of Rolling Meadows support the STAR Line in their respective comprehensive plans. The Village of Arlington Heights, Village of Mount Prospect, and the Village of Des Plaines support STAR Line service as a complement to development near proposed station locations within their respective comprehensive plans. The Village of Plainfield’s comprehensive plan (2002) supports establishing commuter rail service along the then-EJ&E RR corridor.

Project Status

The project is currently progressing through the federal New Starts process. More information is on Metra’s website at: http://metraconnects.metrarail.com/star.php.

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