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.
| Year | Project Title | Program Sort descending | Project Type | Project Partner | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||||
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| + | Milwaukee Ave. Developer Panel | Community Planning | Developer Panel | Chicago 45th Ward | $3,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA convened a Developer Discussion Panel in Chicago's 45th Ward to gather guidance and advice from development experts. The objective was to attract development to vacant sites and encourage infill development. The Developer Discussion Panelist helped the Ward Alderman and the City determine goals and needs in order to best utilize vacant land along North Milwaukee Avenue near the Jefferson Park Transportation Center. Current Activities
The panel of development experts met in June 2021 and the report can be found under "Related Reports". Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.07.2022 |
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| + | Buffalo Grove Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Buffalo Grove | $124,427 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
Through this study, the Village developed transit-oriented development plans for two locations along the Metra North Central Line: Deerfield Parkway at Commerce Court and Route 22 at Prairie. This study produced transit-oriented development plans for two Metra stations on the North Central Line in the Village of Buffalo Grove: Buffalo Grove and Prairie View. Current Activities
The study was completed in January 2007. The Village surveyed area employers within the station area in summer of 2010 to identify any needed revisions to Pace Bus Route #626, which serves the station. Upgrades were made to the route shortly after. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 09.28.2021 |
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| + | Kane County LRP Transit Component | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Kane County | $119,738 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project, sponsored by Kane County, addressed the transit component of the Kane County Long Range integrated Transportation and Land Use Comprehensive Plan. It also served as an update to the Kane County Transit Opportunity Assessment Study which was completed in October 2002.
Current Activities
The Transit Plan was adopted on June 14, 2011 by the Kane County Board.
The CMAP LTA project, titled Implementation of the Kane County 2040 Long Range Transit Plan- Transit-Supportive Corridors: Existing Conditions and Implementation Tools, was completed in 2015. Additionally, the Kane County Department of Transportation is in the design phase for the CMAQ grant to install bus shelters on the northern portion of Randall Road. Construction will likely occur in 2018. In late 2013 Kane County DOT received CMAQ approval for the Randall Road Transit Infrastructure Improvements project. This project funds Phase 2 Engineering and Construction for bus shelters, waiting pads, crosswalk markings, pedestrian signals, ADA ramps and sidewalks along Pace Route 801, as recommended in the South Elgin Transit Improvement Plan and Kane County 2040 Long Range Transit Plan CP projects. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.30.2018 |
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| + | Metra Station Evaluation | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Metra | $65,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
This project included an examination of nine stations across the region in an effort to diagnosis the reasons for low ridership. The project will include an examination of service levels, current and forecasted ridership, service options, market area characteristics, and the potential for transit-oriented development. A cost benefit analysis of each station's ongoing operations was included to provide an overall set of recommendations for the future of each station. Current Activities
Work on this project began in the fall of 2020 and was completed in the fall of 2021 with the delivery of Station Summaries and Deep Dive Reports for all nine stations. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 11.19.2023 |
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| + | Plainfield STAR Line Transit-Oriented Development District Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Plainfield | $123,123 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project developed a plan to guide development in and around the possible Plainfield station area site on the proposed Metra STAR Line commuter rail line. The resulting plan provides recommendations to link the proposed station area with the existing downtown, residential areas and employment centers as well as transit-oriented development options.
Current Activities
The Village Board adopted the final plan in June 2009. A Park-N-Ride was implemented in 2009 at New Van Dyke Rd and Village Center Drive to connect to Pace Route #855. Additionally, Planning, Engineering and Environmental phases of the proposed Metra STAR Line project were completed in 2012. Further development of the STAR Line has not taken place since 2012. For more information please visit: STAR Line Alternatives Analysis Final Report.
In 2018 Pace began operations of the new Plainfield Park-n-Ride lot to support the Pace I-55 Bus on Shoulder service. Although this transit service in Plainfield is Bus on Shoulder service instead of STAR Line service, this lot is a recommendation of the 2007 plan. In the spring of 2018 the Village entered into a a public-private partnership with a builder with the intent to encourage new development on several acres adjacent to the Park-N-Ride lot at Van Dyke and Wood Farm Roads. The new development will include a new Emergency Management Agency building for the Village. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.30.2018 |
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| + | Cook-DuPage Corridor Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) | $1,618,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA led the Cook-DuPage Corridor study with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to examine a broad range of transportation system improvements to address the mobility needs in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Cook-DuPage Corridor covers a large portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is centrally located in the region. It extends approximately 30 miles from Cicero Avenue (IL50) in the city of Chicago/town of Cicero to the Kane/DuPage county line. Metra's Milwaukee District-West and Burlington Northern Santa-Fe commuter lines form the north and south boundaries respectively. The corridor spans all or portions of 51 municipalities in suburban Cook and DuPage counties and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, an area that includes over 1 million residents and 750,000 jobs. The Cook-DuPage Corridor is one of several corridors recommended for multi-modal analysis in the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (CATS, October 2003). The Plan includes a number of major transit and highway proposals to address congestion and improve mobility in the western suburbs of Cook and DuPage counties. These are: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the west end of the Eisenhower Expy. (I-290); Additional lanes on the East-West Tollway (I-88); Extension of the CTA Blue Line Congress branch to the western suburbs of DuPage County; Ogden Avenue transitway, from Navy Pier to North Riverside; Cermak Road bus rapid transit; DuPage County "J" bus rapid transit corridor, connecting Naperville, Oak Brook, O'Hare and Schaumburg; Inner Circumferential rail service (IHB/BRC) between O'Hare and Midway. Mobility problems and potential solutions will be examined in three study phases spanning 2003-2010: 1) Travel Market Analysis, 2) Options Feasiblity, and 3) System Analysis. Locally led study components will be undertaken to formulate corridor planning standards and community development and land use plans/policies. Current Activities
The Cook-DuPage Corridor Travel Market Analysis final report was published in December 2005. The second phase of study, Options Feasibility, was begun in early 2006 and completed in mid 2008. The RTA officially closed the Cook DuPage Corridor Study in April 2009. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.19.2021 |
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| + | Lombard Downtown Implementation Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Lombard | $125,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
Building on previous work conducted by the Village this project created a transit-oriented development plan for an approximate ½ mile radius of the existing Metra station within the Village. The plan focused on improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and access, creating redevelopment opportunities for surrounding properties, and improving the look and signage in downtown. There was a detailed analysis of two areas including the Core Downtown Area and E. St. Charles TIF Area. Specific site recommendations were provided with associated financial analysis and façade ideas. The plan also made recommendation for accommodating parking in the long term and conducting a road diet on Main Street and St. Charles Road east of Main Street. Additionally way finding, signage and branding recommendations were included in the plan. The Village Board officially adopted the plan in March 2011. Current Activities
In 2021, construction began on the Lilac Station development at 101 South Main Street, a 118-unit mixed-use building with a 11,000 square foot grocery store at ground level. The Village maintains a webpage dedicated to the project that includes detailed construction and permitting updates. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.10.2022 |
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| + | Pace Transit Signal Priority Planning for the Milwaukee Avenue Arterial Rapid Transit | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Pace Suburban Bus | $118,302 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
This planning effort developed Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Signal Timing Strategies and Signal Timing Optimization Plans for the future Milwaukee Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) corridor along Milwaukee Avenue from the Jefferson Park Transit Center in the City of Chicago to Golf Mill Mall in the Village of Niles. It is the first step toward implementing TSP. Signal optimization improves traffic flow for all vehicular traffic, including transit. Improved traffic flow results in reduced stop-and-go traffic, improves platoon progression as well as reduced idle time; which reduces vehicular emissions. TSP improves travel speed and schedule reliability of transit, which, in turns, makes transit a more attractive mobility choice.
Current Activities
The project was completed in August 2011. Pace continues to advance Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) along the corridor. Through an RTA Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) project, Pace will test the integration of transit signal priority technology that will allow CTA and Pace buses to interact with multiple types of traffic signal systems located on the same arterial.
Pace received a CMAQ grant in 2014 to fund the following components of Milwaukee Avenue ART from Jefferson Park to Golf Mill: Phase 1 Engineering, stations, real time information, ART vehicles, and queue jump lanes (where appropriate), which are elements of the Pace TSP Planning for the Milwaukee Avenue Arterial Rapid Transit. Pace held public open houses for its Milwaukee Avenue ART service in 2015 to solicit feedback. Milwaukee Avenue will be the first Pace ART line - now titled Pace Pulse - to be implemented. Construction on shelters and other supporting infrastructure will begin in summer of 2017 with an expected opening of the line in 2018. For more information regarding the Pace Pulse service, visit http://pulse.pacebus.com/. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.31.2017 |
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| + | Blue Island TOD Zoning Code Update | Community Planning | TOD Zoning | Blue Island | $21,666 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Blue Island was chosen as part of a Pilot Project in 2011 to update their TOD area zoning regulations in their uptown (Vermont Street station) area. The zoning updates were completed in 2012.
Current Activities
A new zoning district called the Uptown Transit-Oriented District was created and formally adopted into the City Zoning Ordinance on June 14, 2012. The new regulations can be found here. Additionally the City participated in a ULI Developer Discussion Panel focused on the 119th Street Station area. A summary of this discussion can be found on the Blue Island Developer Discussion Panel RTAMS page.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.30.2016 |
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| + | Midlothian Developer Discussion Panel | Community Planning | Developer Panel | Midlothian | $3,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA coordinated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to bring in a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice on ways the community can attract TOD investment in their Metra station area.
Current Activities
This panel convened in November 2012 and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Study Documents below. The RTA is monitoring progress and will offer assistance with implementation as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.02.2017 |
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