Planning Programs and Projects

The study was completed in July 2002 and in the same year the Village was awarded $247,827 from the TCSP grant program to construct a new station house. A senior living facility was constructed in 2003-2004 just west of the Metra station. On June 13, 2012 the Village celebrated the opening of a newly-paved, 157-space commuter parking lot complete with new bike racks. To build on this effort, the RTA worked with the Village to convene a working group consisting of Village staff, the City of Blue Island, RTA staff, CMAP, Metra, ATA and Cook County Highway Department to identify ways to improve pedestrian mobility and access to the Metra Station. The final Robbins Pedestrian Access Improvement Plan can be found under Related Reports.

Zoning Code and Sign Code amendments as well as corresponding Zoning Map updates were adopted by the Village Board in January 2023. 

This project is in active procurement, with an anticipated contract award in September/October 2024.

The plan was adopted on June 5, 2014. To continue support of their efforts, the RTA selected the Village to receive funding assistance for a Developer Panel as part of the 2015 Community Planning Program. The RTA, in conjunction with ULI convened a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice to Village staff and elected officials on ways to attract investment in the TOD area. This discussion took place on November 18, 2015 and the summary report is available on the project's RTAMS webpage.

In 2021, the River Grove Station development was completed and began leasing units. The 40-unit multi-family development is located adjacent to the River Grove Metra station in the area designated as "Site 1" in the River Grove Thatcher Avenue Transit-Oriented Development Plan (2014).

The discussion panel was held on November 18, 2015. The final summary report is complete and can be found in the Related Studies section.

In 2021, the River Grove Station development was completed and began leasing units. The 40-unit multi-family development is located adjacent to the River Grove Metra station in the area designated as "Site 1" in the River Grove Thatcher Avenue Transit-Oriented Development Plan (2014). This site was the subject of the 2015 Developer Panel. 

The final Corridor Plan was completed in June of 2014. Meetings were held with some local governments to assist with implementation efforts. In early 2015, the RTA applied for CMAQ funds on behalf of the Village of Chicago Ridge for pedestrian safety improvements around the Metra station as a selected project in the Access to Transit Improvement Program. CMAQ funds were awarded to this project in the fall of 2015.

In 2017 the Village of Chicago Ridge applied to and was awarded Cook County for funding to complete bus stop infrastructure improvements along Ridgeland Avenue as well as to construct a multi-use path along Ridgeland as recommended in the plan. Wayfinding signage, lighting enhancements, ADA curb cuts and median improvements have been installed along the corridor from the Chicago Ridge Metra station to 105th Street.

The Village of Palos Heights continues to make pedestrian access improvements as recommended in the study including the construction of their section of the multi-use path between Route 83 and 127th Street in 2019.

In 2021 the Village of Oak Lawn was awarded Invest in Cook funding for a 10-foot-wide off-street multi-use trail between 87th Street and 95th Street, running along the east side of Ridgeland Avenue. The trail increases connectivity between parks, neighborhoods, and businesses, benefitting the local economy and promoting healthy alternative transportation options. The City of Palos Heights was also awarded funding for the installation of sidewalks on the northeast side of Route 83/College Road and Ridgeland Avenue. This project will fill a significant sidewalk gap and connect the 26- mile Cal-Sag Trail system to the 9.4-mile Tinley Creek Trail System located in the Cook County Forest Preserve. In addition, it will safely link to the Trinity College athletic fields and the Chicago Christian High School to the City’s pedestrian and trails system. Pedestrian signals will also be installed on the north and east leg of the crossings on Route 83/College Road and Ridgeland Avenue to increase safety. The sidewalk will connect to a multi-use path on Ridgeland Avenue. Both of these projects implement the Ridgeland Avenue Corridor Plan.