Planning Programs and Projects

This project updated the station area plan for the area surrounding the Maywood Metra commuter rail station with a focus along the 5th Avenue and Lake Street downtown business corridors within a quarter mile of the station. The plan will assist the Village with strategies for redevelopment in the downtown core and identifies recommendations to improve access to transit services and other transportation improvements.

This program provides transportation and mobility management services for persons with disabilities and older adults residing in eastern Will County townships.

This project developed a plan for two corridors, the East 75th and East 79th Street corridors, between Stony Island Avenue and the lakefront in the South Shore neighborhood. The plan identifies 10 Ideas for Action to improve land use, business retention, housing and connectivity to transit for both corridors.

This project continues to operate as part of the Ride DuPage program. Older adults are afforded increased employment opportunities by providing them with transportation to jobs outside of their own town and at times that may extend beyond traditional work hours. Seven local governments sponsor the service.

The RTA assisted the Town of Cicero with a comprehensive update the Town's Zoning Code to better align the code with their recently adopted Cicero Connections Initiative Plan, (funded by the RTA) and the Town's Comprehensive Plan. The project explored form based code elements to create a unified and streamlined zoning code process that will attract development, and will recognize the availability of transit service to explore greater density in commercial neighborhoods, sustainable development principles, and reduced zoning code parking requirements.

Pace's Regional Call Center takes reservations for dial a ride and demand response services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Call Center provides comprehensive mobility management services that improve the coordination and operation of transportation services.

Project improvements include new sidewalk connections, crosswalks, and ADA improvements (ramps and detectable warnings) to provide better access to Pace Route #367 and Metra service throughout the Village.

In August, the CTA began installing over 1,300 tactile bus stop signs, with Braille and raised letters, on 12 routes.   These signs provide information about the exact bus stop location to customers who are blind or have visual or cognitive disabilities.

New signs have already been added to each stop on #20 Madison route. The placards will be added to these 11 routes within the next year:

• #4 Cottage Grove
• #X4 Cottage Grove Express
• #9 Ashland
• #X9 Ashland Express
• #12 Roosevelt
• #49 Western
• #X49 Western Express
• #63 63rd
• #66 Chicago
• #79 79th
• #157 Streeterville/Taylor

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.

This project provides transportation for seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are enrolled with Little City, to places of employment, community activities, Special Olympics regional competitions, and medical appointments