Planning Programs and Projects

Funding for this project will complete Phase II engineering and construction of pedestrian access improvements along US Rte. 14, IL Route. 173, Marengo Road, and Ayer Street. The project includes 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 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.

The RTA awarded $55,000 to the City of Harvard for Phase I engineering needed for pedestrian access improvements along Illinois Route 173 from Marengo Road to US Route 14, including new sidewalks, ADA crosswalks, and pedestrian access over Mokeler Creek. Currently, there are no sidewalks along Route 173, forcing pedestrians to walk on the shoulder. At the crossing of Mokeler Creek, pedestrians have to walk in the travel lanes of Route 173 to get over the creek.

This project will repair a gap in the sidewalk connectivity along Wolf Road near North Avenue. Repairs will allow pedestrians to directly cross the intersection of Wolf Road and an access driveway to a shopping center. This section of Wolf Road is served by Pace Route 309 and Routes 318 and 320 operate nearby on North Avenue. Two bus shelters will also be constructed at the stops just to the south of this intersection as part of the project.

The RTA assisted the VIllage of Riverside with an update to the Village of Riverside's Zoning Ordinance. The update reflects current development trends and is a step towards implementing the Central Business District Plan that promotes pedestrian oriented redevelopment near the Riverside Metra station while preserving the character of the downtown. The code revisions also align the zoning code along Harlem Ave in a manner that more transit friendly and is based on the recommendations of the Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan, developed by the RTA and Pace. The update also addresses zoning issues related to protecting the Village's national historic landmark designation.

The RTA convened a Developer Discussion Panel to assist the Village's efforts to attract transit- oriented development (TOD) at a vacant ~6-acre site located directly adjacent to the Metra Electric Ashland Avenue station. The Village will benefit from developer expertise on how to attract and consider development proposals that optimize the neighboring transit asset and align with local and regional goals.

This project will construct bicycle facilities along 124th Street to better facilitate safe access between bus transit services along Halsted Street to the Ashland Metra station at Ashland Avenue. Additional improvements include completing a sidewalk gap on 124th Street between Laflin and Bishop Streets and pedestrian improvements to the intersection of 124th Street and Laflin Street.

This project will include the construction of approximately 2,050 linear feet of new and improved sidewalks, two new pedestrian crosswalks, and a covered bike shelter at the Ashland Metra Station.