Planning Programs and Projects

This page allows users to search for projects from the RTA’s Planning Programs. Users can search for projects by name or keyword from the Search bar or the Filter pulldown menus. 

Table results display summary information about each project. To view more details for a project, select the + icon to expand the view for additional information.

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This search filters based on details within the Planning Project. The search box below allows users to search by Planning Project name.

Year Project Title Sort descending Program Project Type Project Partner Budget Funding Source(s) Status
+ Antioch Downtown Land Use and Transit Implementation Strategy Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Antioch $99,708
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
After the Village completed several transit-oriented development studies for their Metra Station area, this project revised the zoning ordinance to a form-based code, and will be utilized to regulate all future development in the TOD area.The final report was presented to the Village Board in March and the form-based code was adopted on October 17, 2011.
Current Activities
The Village was awarded a $200,000 US-EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant in 2013 to begin identifying and assessing underused land, blighted properties and former industrial sites in the TOD area. For more information please visit: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130304/news/703049913/. The RTA will provide support and assistance as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79,766
Local $19,942

Last Updated 06.08.2017

+ Aurora Pedestrian Access to Transit Improvement Plan Community Planning Pedestrian Access to Transit Aurora $0
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

RTA staff, in partnership will the City of Aurora, prepared a pedestrian access improvement plan for the Aurora Transportation Center in downtown Aurora and Route 59 Metra station. The plan includes recommendations for improved pedestrian and bicycle access, including sidewalks and paths, enhanced crosswalks, pedestrian plazas, wayfinding signage and bicycle accommodations.

Current Activities

Shortly after completion of the Plan the City of Aurora began construction of pedestrian access and related multi-modal improvements within the study area defined by the Pedestrian Access to Transit Improvement Plan. The improvements include: 1) Modifying the existing ATC parking lots to improve pedestrian and multi-modal safety and access. 2) Relocating the Pace bus transfer area to the east side of the commuter parking lot to reduce bus delay which will reduce vehicle/bus/pedestrian conflict and increase bus efficiently. 3) Constructing a 750 foot bridge over the Fox River, to provide connections to TOD areas on the other side of the river and to the Fox River Trail (Completed in April 2021),  4) Constructing new parking lots on the west side of the Fox River. 5) Installing new traffic signals and intersection improvements on Broadway Avenue.

The project is supported by Federal funding from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Grant Program (CMAQ). Local support is being provided by the City of Aurora and Kane County Forest Preserve District, with in-kind supports from Fox Valley Park District, Pace, IDOT, Metra, and BNSF. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of 2019.

For more information see ATC Progress

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $0

Last Updated 05.18.2021

+ Aurora Station Boulevard Transit Plan Update Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Aurora $0
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

RTA staff assisted the City with updating the 2009 transit service plan for the Station Boulevard Transit system as well as explored other mobility management options for possible implementation. These mobility options will connect residents of the Station Boulevard TOD area with the Route 59 Metra station, helping to increase Metra ridership and reducing vehicle miles traveled to the station. Updates to the plan include the introduction of ways to increase walking, biking and carpooling for Station Boulevard residents, in addition to a future fixed route transit service. The development of a Guaranteed Ride Home program for residents who choose a commuting mode other than driving their own car is also recommended.

Current Activities

The City is taking steps to identify the best timing to start implementing the additional modes recommended in the plan and hopes to begin implementation as soon as possible. The RTA will continue to monitor any implementation activity. A final report will be posted to this page as soon as it is available.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $0

Last Updated 10.20.2020

+ Aurora Transportation Center Access Improvements Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Aurora $995,283
  • RTA
  • Local
  • Federal
In Progress

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This project will create various pedestrian and access improvements to and around the Aurora Transportation Center including entrance modifications at the intersection of Spring Street and the creation of a Kiss and Ride area for passenger drop off. Other improvements include the installation of real time message boards on the platform to indicate train departure/arrival time and track location, installation of bike shelters on the east side of the Metra tracks and at the existing bike racks located along the west side of the platform, and installation of decorative monument signs at the Spring Street and Broadway Avenue entrances. Finally, four commuter transit shelters with heaters will be installed on the platforms and bike lanes along Spring Street, running east and west will be installed to improve access for people using bicycles to access the station.

Current Activities

Last quarter Aurora completed the punchlist items. The shelter lighting is the only outstanding item to complete the job. Lighting expected to be delivered in mid-April.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $99,528
Local $99,528
Federal $796,227

Last Updated 03.29.2024

+ Bartlett Downtown / TOD Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Bartlett $124,925
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project assisted the Village with developing a TOD plan for the core downtown / Metra station area. The plan will be used as a guide for the Village as it takes steps to improve the Downtown Business District, and includes realistic and economically viable strategies that will benefit Village residents, businesses and visitors to the Village's downtown and support transit use.

Current Activities

The Village Board of Trustees adopted the plan on October 18, 2016 and the Village is has identified initial steps to take to implement the plan. A mixed-use project "Balance Family Chiropractic" consisting of 6,152 sq. ft of office space and 2 residential units was constructed in June 2018. In October 2019 the Village Board approved the site plan to put a brewery and restaurant at the southeast corner of Railroad and South Oak Avenues. The approval included ordinance variations to the site plan include an elimination of the required off-street parking spaces in favor of shared parking spaces already in downtown Bartlett, as recommended in the TOD Plan.

The RTA continued to support the Village with implementing the plan for downtown Bartlett through assistance to update the Village Zoning Code, adding a mixed-use TOD Overlay district for the downtown area.

In July 2021 the Village Board approved the development of the Residences at Bartlett Station, a 104 unit apartment building located just east of the Metra station at the SW corner of Railroad Avenue and Berteau.

In December 2022, the Village awarded grants from the Bartlett Economic Assistance Program to three area businesses (MORE Brewing, L P'tit Resto Bar Tapas, and Pasta Mia) for building enhancements to facilitate redevelopment of the station area. These projects implement recommendations from the Plan.

Furthermore, a 19,432-square-foot Aldi -- to be Bartlett's second nonspecialized grocery store -- is under construction at the Streets of Bartlett shopping center downtown for a late 2023 or early 2024 opening.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $24,985
Federal $99,940

Last Updated 11.09.2023

+ Bartlett TOD Zoning Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Bartlett $18,875
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description
This project created zoning revisions to the Bartlett Village Zoning Code intended to implement Bartlett's 2016 Downtown Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan. The project developed a new Downtown TOD Overlay chapter to implement Village strategies for a stronger sense of place, to create a more vibrant and walk-able downtown and update development regulations to allow for the type of development the Village envisioned in the TOD Plan.
Current Activities
The Village Board adopted the Downtown TOD Overlay chapter into the Village Zoning Code at their November 19, 2019 meeting.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $18,875

Last Updated 12.12.2019

+ Bellwood Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Bellwood $3,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
The RTA coordinated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to bring in a panel of development experts to the Village to provide guidance and advice on ways the community can attract TOD investment along St. Charles Road near the Bellwood Metra station.
Current Activities
This Discussion Panel took place on November 17, 2014 and a summary report of this discussion can be found below in the Study Documents.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,000

Last Updated 11.30.2015

+ Bellwood Metra Station Access Improvements Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Bellwood $150,998
  • Federal
Programmed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This project funds phase II engineering and construction to remove and replace curb ramps and blended sidewalk areas to comply with ADA standards in 21 locations within the Village. Improvements will consist of removing and replacing sidewalks, curb ramps and curbs, adjusting frames/grates to meet final grade, Hot-mix asphalt pavement patching will be utilized to restore pavement areas. Thermoplastic pavement marking and landscape restoration shall also occur as part of this improvement. Locations selected focus on those areas traveled by residents to access the Metra Bellwood station and Pace bus stops within the Village.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Federal $120,798

Last Updated 01.03.2024

+ Bellwood Pace Route Access Improvements Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Bellwood $750,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

The project funds improvements along St. Charles Road for 1.1 miles, from Mannheim Road to 25th Avenue, which is served by Pace Route 313 and near the Bellwood and Melrose Park Metra stations. Improvements include two bus shelter pads (Pace is providing the shelters), four benches, sidewalk connectors, crosswalks, ADA accessibility improvements, pedestrian lighting, and bicycle racks.

Current Activities

Project completed.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $150,000
Federal $600,000

Last Updated 10.17.2022

+ Bellwood Transit Oriented-Development Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Bellwood $103,855
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project produced a redevelopment plan that integrates transit-supportive land uses with Metra commuter rail service and Pace bus service along the St. Charles Road corridor.
Current Activities
The Plan was completed in April 2008.

In November 2013 the Village completed a Comprehensive Plan that includes recommendations for priority redevelopment sites in the TOD Area.

Additionally, the Village was selected in 2014 to host a Developer Discussion Panel to solicit guidance and advice from ULI members on ways to attract investment along the St. Charles Road corridor; a summary report of this discussion can be found on the Bellwood Developer Discussion Panel RTAMS page.

In early 2015, the RTA applied for CMAQ funds on behalf of the Village for pedestrian improvements along St. Charles Road as a selected project in the Access to Transit Improvement Program. A Single-Family Homes residential project, 'Randolph Estates' consisting of 12 units and 48 parking spaces began construction in September 2016 and was completed in December 2018. In addition, a 10,483 sq. ft medical clinic, 'Oak Street Health' began construction in March 2018 and was completed in July 2018.

In early 2019 the Village was awarded Invest in Cook funds from Cook County Department of Transportation to complete St. Charles Road Sidewalk ADA Ramp Improvements.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $20,771
Federal $83,084

Last Updated 12.11.2019