The 33-mile SouthEast Service (SES) is proposed to run along the Union Pacific/CSX railroad tracks, enhancing Metra's commuter rail service between the south suburbs and downtown Chicago. The SES line would link close to 20 communities in south Suburban Cook and Will counties, providing new opportunities for travel to downtown Chicago and economic growth and development for the south suburbs.

This new line would provide commuting opportunities for a fast growing, underserved corridor of the south suburbs. As the regional labor pool grows, we have to think and act strategically to provide transportation where it is needed and prevent any further congestion along our roadways as people travel into the city for work. We must also recognize and address the need to attract new employment opportunities in the south suburbs as population growth in this area is consistently outpacing job growth.

Connecting the south suburbs to the city of Chicago offers residents improved access to downtown jobs, schools, shopping, entertainment and other regional attractions. Business and real estate opportunities in the south suburbs also could expand, as developers look to take advantage of transit-oriented development and greater access to the region's labor pool. Development within the south suburbs could also lead to an enhanced tax base as property values increase and retail sales grow.

There are other direct and indirect benefits to the project as well. The SES line would take drivers off the road and spare the state from more than $4 million in annual highway construction and maintenance costs. Construction of the new line would also provide economic benefits to the Chicago metropolitan area and the entire state of Illinois. Within the state, approximately 550 jobs would be generated with more than $262 million in wages paid out over the project's 10-year engineering and construction period. Illinois businesses would also benefit from more than $550 million in business sales.

New Technology

Metra is currently studying the use of Diesel Multiple Units or DMUs for the SES line. These 90-to-100 passenger vehicles are an exciting new transit technology that provide improved fuel efficiency, better acceleration, and greater flexibility compared to traditional commuter rail operations.