That number is a preview of a report that the RTA will release early next year that will assess the state of bridges, train tracks, buses and more at Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority.
The grade of “past its useful life,” officials insist, does not mean the structures are unsafe. Rather, they maintain, it means that the assets have reached the point where the repair they need is no longer cost-effective.
“It would be more cost-effective to actually replace the bridge entirely and lower our operating cost,” said RTA Executive Director Steve Schlickman. “Let me assure you, these bridges are safe, they are well managed, they are well inspected, and we certainly are putting the money into them to keep them in that condition.”
The sneak-peek at the report also said nearly a quarter of all CTA tracks are past their useful life, as well as 42 percent of CTA bridges, 32 percent of Metra stations, and 4 percent of Metra rail cars.