More than 4,000 people have responded to the survey, and officials say many have similar desires for the future of their regional transportation system.

“‘For me, that’s one of the more interesting things we’ve found,’ said Bob Dean, principal regional planner. ‘We are hearing very consistent results. It’s good for a regional plan like this.’

The majority of people want denser communities and greater protection of the environment and investment in transit, he said.”

The CTA considered a Bus Rapid Transit option, but rejected it in favor of expanding the existing rail system. The new lines will extend the Red, Yellow and Orange lines.

“The three projects are designed to improve travel times from locations far from the city center that currently suffer from inadequate transit options and heavy traffic congestion. The identification of the locally preferred alternative (LPA) allows the authority to move forward with an environmental impact statement and ultimately a submission to the FTA. The cash-poor CTA has yet to identify local funding sources that would contribute to the lines, however, so their completion remains in doubt.”