Planning Programs and Projects

The RTA is assisting the Village of Maywood to amend the Village’s Zoning Code in the downtown area as recommended in the Maywood TOD Plan Update, completed through the RTA’s Community Planning program in 2020. Code updates will foster the type of development envisioned in the plan, address current parking in downtown Maywood, and respond to the historic nature of the area. The project’s focus area includes Lake Street and 5th Avenue.

The RTA partnered with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to convene a half-day discussion panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice to Village staff. The panel discussed the development climate and potential strategies to prepare for, and attract development to, Village-owned parcels near the Congress Park Metra station.

The RTA is assisting the Village with updating the zoning code in the southeast portion of the Village, from South Claire Boulevard to the Robbins Metra station. Code updates will allow the Village to realize the type of development envisioned in the Robbins TOD and Industrial Areas Plan, completed with support from the RTA and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

The RTA is providing technical assistance to Chicago's Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and the Albany Park community to pinpoint new and expanded pedestrian and shared space amenities along Kimball and Lawrence Avenues as well as introduce new micro-mobility infrastructure and device parking to advance first and last mile connectivity near the Kimball Brown Line station. New public amenities recommended in the plan could include specific locations for sheltered seating for transit passengers and customers of street merchants, e-scooter and e-bike designated parking areas, wall murals along the exterior of the Kimball CTA station, a plaza area near the Kimball station, and dedicated bus priority zones for transfer stops of CTA bus routes 81 and 82. The RTA and DPD will work alongside the North River Commission, the CTA and others in Albany Park to finalize short-term, tactical recommendations.

Clearbrook continues to provide transportation services to more than 8,000 children & adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.  Clients are transported to work, school, day programs, medical appointments, community recreation, and other activities. 

This project will create pedestrian access improvements to Pace bus stops located at Route 137 and Lewis Avenue in North Chicago, at the Lovell Federal Healthcare Center. The project includes new crosswalks, the removal of curbed signal islands and repaving where the curbed islands stand, installation of ADA compliant curbing and sidewalks, a section of retaining wall, a new bus shelter and pad, advanced prismatic pavement markings and signage, and signal modifications to include advanced audible countdown pedestrian heads at all legs of the intersection.

This is a general public, demand responsive dial-a-ride service that serves primarily for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the urban portions of Kendall County.   The award includes funding to support a part-time mobility manager.

The RTA assisted the Village with developing a TOD plan for downtown Elburn and the areas near the Elburn Metra station. Plan objectives included identifying ways to unify and connect the downtown business district with the Metra station and TOD development south of the station and identifying development opportunities that support a vibrant area serving the entire village while incorporating the Metra station as a focal point of new development.

The RTA is assisting the City of Chicago with an initiative to provide transformative changes along the 79th Street commercial corridor within the Auburn Gresham community areas. A plan will be developed to serve as a guide for future housing, retail and transportation investments in the community.

This program provides transportation and mobility management services for persons with disabilities and older adults residing in eastern Will County townships.  The award includes funding to support the County’s Mobility Manager position.