Planning Programs and Projects

his project will install tactile signs at all bus stop poles where CTA public information signs are currently posted to provide information about the exact bus stop location to customers who are blind or have visual or cognitive disabilities. Tactile Signage encourages individuals who currently rely on paratransit services to use fixed-route transit, even for trips where fixed-route service may have been available and at greater service span, frequency, and lower cost to operate than paratransit service.

This project provides transportation support individuals with disabilities. The door-to-door transportation services are vital to allow persons enrolled at CTF greater access to their daily supports including community employment, day programs, social and recreational activities, and medical appointments. This award includes funding for a mobility manager. This is an existing Section 5310 funded project.

This project provides transportation support individuals with disabilities. The door-to-door transportation services are vital to allow persons enrolled at CTF greater access to their daily supports including community employment, day programs, social and recreational activities, and medical appointments. This award includes funding for operations. This is an existing Section 5310 funded project.

The Transportation to Work Program provides demand-responsive transportation to and from work for persons with disabilities. The program operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and serves all of DuPage County. This is an existing Section 5310 operating funded project.

This project will convert all of the bus stops in the City of Evanston from flagged to posted stops and include the installation of ADA compliant bus stop pads. In addition, this project will install shelters, pedestrian signals, truncated domes, and new and replaced sidewalk to further enhance the new bus stops. Shelters are proposed for stops with 20 average daily boardings.

This project will construct bicycle and pedestrian improvements along two corridors in the community: an east-west bicycle route and a north-south pedestrian route that connect the Village’s two Metra stations and three Pace Bus routes to its three industrial areas. Improvements to the bike network will include the installation of eight-foot multi-use paths, on road sharrows, on road dedicated bike lanes, and installation of new signage and path widening along existing paths. The proposed sidewalk improvements on 25th Avenue will provide safe connections from the downtown train stations to the southern industrial area without forcing pedestrians to navigate gaps in the sidewalk network. Employees taking the Pace 303 bus will also benefit from these improvements.

The RTA is assisting the Village of La Grange to update their current transit-oriented development plan adopted in 2005. By updating this plan, the Village seeks to address current construction market dynamics,  changes in the retail industry, and changing commuting habits to poise the community to take advantage of future redevelopment opportunities. In particular, the Village seeks to invite redevelopment on the West End, which has seen no new development since 2005.  The proposed study area encompasses the Central Business District of La Grange, the West End Business District, and other properties within less than one quarter mile from each Metra Station in La Grange. 

This project completed Phase I engineering necessary for future pedestrian access improvements along US Rte. 14, IL Route. 173, Marengo Road, and Ayer Street. The future improvements will include new sidewalks, ADA improvements, crosswalks, and a Pace Bus shelter. These improvements will better connect residents to the Harvard Metra Station and the Pace Bus Route 808.

This project will construct a new off-road shared-use path on the north side of Central Road from the existing Paul Douglas Forest Preserve path system to the Pace Park-n-Ride at Barrington Road. The path will be 10 feet wide located generally along the right of way on the north side of Central Road. Destination and distance signing along with traffic controls for intersection and driveway crossings are included. Signal upgrades and modifications at the Central Road / Huntington Boulevard intersection will be made for bicycle and pedestrian users.

The RTA is assisting the Village of Homewood to prepare a transit-oriented development plan for downtown Homewood and areas surrounding the Homewood Metra and Amtrak station. Leveraging the ongoing station renovations, the goals of the planning study include identifying strategies to attract investment and development, retaining existing character/historic preservation, and increasing access to transit services in the downtown. With a locally-driven planning vision, the Village hopes to continue to foster Downtown population growth, identify new uses for vacant buildings, increase transit ridership, and increase the number of people visiting and spending time in Downtown Homewood.