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
+ Bensenville Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Bensenville $3,500
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

The RTA chose Bensenville as part of the 2013 Community Planning Program to work with ULI to assemble a developer discussion panel to provide input, guidance and advice to the Village as they work to attract TOD investment in their Metra station area.

Current Activities

This panel convened in September 2012 and a summary of this discussion can be found to the right under Related Reports. The RTA is monitoring progress and will offer assistance with implementation as needed.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,500

Last Updated 07.28.2021

+ Bensenville Metra Station Access Improvements Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Bensenville $500,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This project improved access to the Bensenville Metra Station through the construction of new sidewalks and bike parking at the station and along the adjacent Railroad Ave. Additionally, the commuter parking lot was reconfigured to enhance pedestrian and transit access to the station through the addition of a bus shelter and sidewalks. Other improvements included widened sidewalks, ornamental roadway lighting, bike racks, crosswalks, and a bus layover area.

Current Activities

Construction began in summer of 2018 and is now complete. Improvements include a more accessible and pedestrian friendly Metra and Pace service area for their users, potentially leading to an increase in ridership. 2018 weekday boardings increased 16% over 2016 according to Metra Boarding and Alighting Counts. Additionally, Beautification of the existing Railroad Avenue from York Road to Center Street has enhanced the pedestrian friendly nature of the Bensenville downtown area.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $100,000
Federal $400,000

Last Updated 05.18.2021

+ Bensenville Transit Improvement Plan and Station Area Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Bensenville $123,130
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description

In the spring of 2010 the Village of Bensenville engaged a planning process to assess the potential for improving the community's overall transportation system and revitalizing its main road corridors and Downtown train station area. Increasing transit ridership and facilitating new development along the roadways as well as in downtown was key goals of the Study.

The study consisted of two primary areas; land use development in downtown and along major transit corridors and a transit improvement plan for existing and potential transit. The downtown plan assessed the short and long-term potential of redeveloping key parcels in downtown. The process evaluated land use redevelopment project potentials along key transit corridors including York Road, Green Street, and County that would enhance the transit system over time. The planning process also included a comprehensive analysis of the Villages existing and potential transit services. Recommendations took into consideration the potential expansion of the western terminal at O'Hare airport and the proposed roadway changes due to the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway Corridor. Please visit the project's website for updated reports and information http://www.thelakotagroup.com/bensenville.

Current Activities

Bensenville continues to make progress in implementing their Transit Improvement Plan & Station Area/Corridor Study. Currently under construction are the YorkWood Townhomes, a two story five unit townhome development located at 201 South York Road, approximately 1/3 of a mile from the Bensenville Metra Station. This townhome development is estimated to be completed by the end of June of 2018. The A & E Luxury Apartments, a three-story 29 unit rental apartment building located at 213 North Walnut Street was constructed in 2017 located 1/2 mile from the Metra station and a few blocks from Pace route 332 service at Irving and Addison Streets. The Green Street Grill at 120 West Green Street is also notable for being conveniently located to Metra and Pace services in downtown Bensenville.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $98,504
Local $24,626

Last Updated 07.18.2023

+ Berkeley Pace Route Access Improvements Phase I Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Berkeley $50,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This project funded Phase I engineering necessary for future sidewalk network improvements that will provide access from residential neighborhoods south of St. Charles Road to Pace Bus Route 313. Engineering was completed for sidewalk gaps along Lee Boulevard, Morris Avenue, Rohde Avenue, Spencer Avenue, and Jerele Boulevard.

Current Activities

Phase I engineering activities are complete and the RTA awarded Phase II and Construction funding in late 2023.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $50,000

Last Updated 01.03.2024

+ Berkeley Pace Route Access Improvements Phase II and Construction Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Berkeley $1,000,000
  • Federal
  • RTA
In Progress

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This project funds Phase II engineering and construction of sidewalk network improvements that will provide access from residential neighborhoods south of St. Charles Road to Pace Bus Route 313. Work will be completed for sidewalk gaps along Lee Boulevard, Morris Avenue, Rohde Avenue, Spencer Avenue, and Jerele Boulevard.

Current Activities

Phase II engineering is currently underway and expected to wrap up in May 2024.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Federal $800,000
RTA $100,000

Last Updated 01.09.2024

+ Berwyn TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Berwyn $25,000
  • RTA
In Progress

Project Details

Description

The RTA is assisting the City of Berwyn to make transit-supportive amendments to the zoning regulations along the Harlem Avenue corridor from Roosevelt Road to Pershing Road. The result will include code revisions that foster a pedestrian-friendly development style along the corridor, preparing it for future Pace Pulse service. Revising the code along Harlem Avenue is a recommendation for the City in the Central Harlem Avenue Corridor Study.

Current Activities

Work on this project began in 2023 with stakeholder interviews and an elected/appointed officials roundtable discussion in June with the Berwyn Committee of the Whole. The project team is finalizing community engagement activities and will subsequently develop initial zoning recommendations for City staff review.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $25,000

Last Updated 02.05.2024

+ Berwyn Transit-Oriented Master Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Berwyn $95,391
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project produced a transit-oriented development plan for the three Berwyn Metra station areas along the Metra BNSF rail corridor between Harlem Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue: LaVergne, Berwyn and Harlem Ave.

Current Activities

The final plan was adopted by the City Council in November 2008. In the same year the City constructed a shared parking deck on Grove Avenue for their downtown using a combination of local and federal funds. They are also currently in talks with developers to develop key pieces of property within their TOD area.

In late November 2011, it was announced that the West Cook County Housing Collaborative received a nearly $3 million grant for its transit-oriented development strategy to update comprehensive plans and to create a sustainable transit-oriented development fund for the communities of Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maywood and Oak Park. The RTA is provided in-kind assistance to the West Cook Housing Collaborative as a member of the steering committee that discussed strategies to attract TOD investment in each community. The city of Berwyn has secured $11 million in grant funding to complete infrastructure improvements in the Depot District. These improvements will include improved pedestrian accommodations, new lighting, green infrastructure such as permeable pavers, new lighting, bike lanes and bike racks. Final design and then bidding the work will continue through the end of 2017.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $19,078
Federal $76,313

Last Updated 01.19.2023

+ Blue Island Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Blue Island $3,750
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
The RTA chose Blue Island as part of the 2013 Community Planning Program to work with ULI to assemble a developer discussion panel to provide input, guidance and advice to the City as they work to attract TOD investment on a City-owned parcel adjacent to the 119th Street Metra station.
Current Activities
This panel convened in August 2013 and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Study Documents. In March 2015 the City issued a RFQ seeking a redevelopment partner for approximately 7.5 acres at the southeast corner of 119th Street and Vincennes Road. The site will serve as a gateway to Blue Island and create a commercial or mixed-use node, as identified in the Comprehensive Plan and the City is still working with potential developers to explore public and private funding sources to help finance a development.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,750

Last Updated 11.17.2016

+ Blue Island TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Blue Island $21,666
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
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
Source Amount
RTA $21,666

Last Updated 06.30.2016

+ Blue Island Transit-Oriented Development Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Blue Island $22,200
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
The City of Blue Island Transit-Oriented Development study recommended improving the pedestrian environment between the Metra Electric and Rock Island District stations that are located within 500 feet of each other and where significant passenger transferring between the stations occur. The study also recommended providing streetscaping and guidance signage enhancements from the two stations to downtown Blue Island and Saint Francis Hospital, which was renamed to MetroSouth Medical Center in 2008.
Current Activities

The study was completed in May 1999. The RTA recently completed a Phase II Transit Corridor Study which developed conceptual development programs for two parcels in the TOD area; one parcel is an under-utilized parking area Southeast of the Vermont Street Rock Island station and the other is adjacent to the station. Additionally, through an RTA Pilot Project providing implementation technical assistance, 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

In 2012 Metra received a grant from the Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) Program for improvements to the Blue Island, Vermont Street Interagency Transfer Station. This project includes additional interagency signage at multiple locations, including both Metra stations. Additionally, the RTA chose Blue Island as part of the 2013 Community Planning Program to work with ULI to assemble a developer discussion panel to provide input, guidance and advice to the City as they work to attract TOD investment on a City-owned parcel adjacent to the 119th Street Metra station. This discussion took place on August 12, 2013 and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Related Reports link. The City is currently working to implement the recommendations from this discussion.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $22,200

Last Updated 02.13.2024