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 Program Project Type Project Partner Budget Funding Source(s) Status
+ Geneva Downtown / Station Area Master Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Geneva $124,081
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project created a transit-oriented development plan for an approximate ½ mile radius of the Geneva Metra Station. The plan recommendations focused on the expansion of retail development, increasing housing diversity, mixed-use development, parking expansion and improving access to and around the station. The final report consists of an existing conditions report, market analysis, concept plan, parking and circulation plan, design guidelines and implementation recommendations.
Current Activities
The plan was formally approved as an amendment to the Geneva Comprehensive Plan in November 2012. In May 2015, the City completed construction of a third tier on the Third Street parking deck, adding an additional 180 spaces.

Geneva continues to build transit supportive infill residential development per the plan recommendations. Two recent developments are noteworthy Campbell Row and Park Place, both completed in 2017. Campbell Row is a 5-unit townhome development at the corner of Campbell and Fourth Streets, 1/3 of a mile from the Geneva Metra station and within two blocks of Pace routes 801 and 802. Park Place is a 30-unit row house development at the corner of First and Stevens within 3/4 mile of the Metra station and Pace bus routes. In addition, in August 2019, approval took place for Phase I of Hamilton Place, which includes the construction of 16 single-family homes at the Northeast corner of Richards & State street.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $99,265
Local $24,816

Last Updated 09.16.2019

+ Hanover Park - County Farm Road Transit Service Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Hanover Park $150,000
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project consisted of a transportation feasibility study to identify potential transit options along County Farm Road, for the ten mile segment between Lake Street on the north and Roosevelt Road / the DuPage County Government Center on the south. The service recommendations addressed access to the Hanover Park Metra Station, the DuPage County Government Center, and multiple businesses and places of employment along the corridor. Project tasks included public involvement, a mobility needs assessment, service recommendations and implementation strategies. The Village of Hanover Park led the study, with the towns of Roselle, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Winfield, and Wheaton serving on the project steering committee.
Current Activities
This project was completed in December 2012. A Transit Improvement Task Force has been formed to implement the recommendations of the study. The task force consists of members from the communities of Hanover Park, Roselle, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Winfield, and Wheaton; as well as representatives from the RTA, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, and DuPage County. Topics addressed range from having the member communities adopt the plan as part of their comprehensive plans to discussions regarding potential service areas for local transit. The task force continues to monitor potential funding sources.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $120,000
Local $30,000

Last Updated 05.31.2017

+ Lombard Downtown Implementation Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Lombard $125,000
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description

Building on previous work conducted by the Village this project created a transit-oriented development plan for an approximate ½ mile radius of the existing Metra station within the Village. The plan focused on improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and access, creating redevelopment opportunities for surrounding properties, and improving the look and signage in downtown. There was a detailed analysis of two areas including the Core Downtown Area and E. St. Charles TIF Area. Specific site recommendations were provided with associated financial analysis and façade ideas. The plan also made recommendation for accommodating parking in the long term and conducting a road diet on Main Street and St. Charles Road east of Main Street. Additionally way finding, signage and branding recommendations were included in the plan. The Village Board officially adopted the plan in March 2011.

Current Activities

In 2021, construction began on the Lilac Station development at 101 South Main Street, a 118-unit mixed-use building with a 11,000 square foot grocery store at ground level. The Village maintains a webpage dedicated to the project that includes detailed construction and permitting updates.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $100,000
Local $25,000

Last Updated 01.10.2022

+ McHenry County Service Integration & Coordination '10 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Capital - Operating - Mobility Management McHenry County $1,596,421
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This project will integrate and coordinate the McHenry County Transit Pilot Program, the City of Crystal Lake Dial-a-Ride, the City of McHenry Dial-a-Ride, and the City of Woodstock Dial-a-Ride and initiate services for seniors and the disabled in Greenwood Township. Tracking and automated dispatching software will be used to help manage the available fleet.

Current Activities

The service provided 7,462 trips in June 2014. This Project is complete.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $790,979
Federal $805,442

Last Updated 11.19.2023

+ Operation to Enhance Disabled, Senior, and Regular Transportation in Rural Communities '10 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating Washington Township $46,500
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
This dial-a-ride service expanded from a two day a week operation to five days a week. The service provides general purpose transportation within Washington Township and medical trips beyond the Township. In addition to providing increased service for the disabled and senior populations, eligible participants are able to obtain same day service.
Current Activities
This project is complete.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $22,500
Federal $24,000

Last Updated 06.13.2019

+ Pace Transit Signal Priority Planning for the Milwaukee Avenue Arterial Rapid Transit Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Pace Suburban Bus $118,302
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
This planning effort developed Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Signal Timing Strategies and Signal Timing Optimization Plans for the future Milwaukee Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) corridor along Milwaukee Avenue from the Jefferson Park Transit Center in the City of Chicago to Golf Mill Mall in the Village of Niles. It is the first step toward implementing TSP. Signal optimization improves traffic flow for all vehicular traffic, including transit. Improved traffic flow results in reduced stop-and-go traffic, improves platoon progression as well as reduced idle time; which reduces vehicular emissions. TSP improves travel speed and schedule reliability of transit, which, in turns, makes transit a more attractive mobility choice.
Current Activities
The project was completed in August 2011. Pace continues to advance Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) along the corridor. Through an RTA Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) project, Pace will test the integration of transit signal priority technology that will allow CTA and Pace buses to interact with multiple types of traffic signal systems located on the same arterial.

Pace received a CMAQ grant in 2014 to fund the following components of Milwaukee Avenue ART from Jefferson Park to Golf Mill: Phase 1 Engineering, stations, real time information, ART vehicles, and queue jump lanes (where appropriate), which are elements of the Pace TSP Planning for the Milwaukee Avenue Arterial Rapid Transit. Pace held public open houses for its Milwaukee Avenue ART service in 2015 to solicit feedback. Milwaukee Avenue will be the first Pace ART line - now titled Pace Pulse - to be implemented. Construction on shelters and other supporting infrastructure will begin in summer of 2017 with an expected opening of the line in 2018. For more information regarding the Pace Pulse service, visit http://pulse.pacebus.com/.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $94,642
Local $23,660

Last Updated 05.31.2017

+ Ride in Kane Phase 5 & 6 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating - Mobility Management Association for Individual Development (AID) $2,581,123
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

The Ride in Kane program is now entering its third year of operation. This program coordinates paratransit services in Kane County into a centralized system that optimizes transportation resources for older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals. Currently, there are 17 private, non-profit organizations and local units of government participating in the program. Approximately 100,000 trips were provided through this program in 2009.

Current Activities

The service provided 8,015 trips in July 2014. This project is complete.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $1,268,016
Federal $1,313,107

Last Updated 11.19.2023

+ Ride to Work Program Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating Safer Foundation $22,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
This project will provide reverse commute employment transportation for low-income persons who have criminal records and are residing in Cook County. The daily service, to be operated by a private contractor, will cover three employment shifts. Individuals will be transported to and from five designated pick-up points in the City of Chicago to employers located in the suburbs. The designated pick-up points may all be accessed through CTA.
Current Activities
The grant contract with the Safer Foundation was executed effective August 11, 2010. Funds for this service were exhausted in August 2011. In its last year of funding the project averaged 153 trips per month. The Safer Foundation is continuing the service with its own resources. This project is complete.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $11,000
Federal $11,000

Last Updated 06.13.2019

+ Skokie-Dempster Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Skokie $124,710
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project will create a transit-oriented development plan for an approximate ½ mile radius of the future relocated and elevated Skokie-Dempster Station on the CTA Yellow Line. The CTA is currently conducting an Alternatives Analysis to extend the Yellow Line from the current terminus at Skokie-Dempster to Old Orchard Road. If the line is extended, the existing Skokie-Dempster Station will be elevated near its current location. The new elevation presents an opportunity to improve circulation around the station where the at-grade tracks and station currently act as a physical barrier limiting development. The goal of the project is to create a circulation plan, a corresponding market study, and land use analysis for the Skokie-Dempster Station area.
Current Activities
The plan has been finalized. The RTA will offer implementation assistance as needed. In 2015, Skokie received CMAQ program funding, via the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program, for pedestrian access improvements and additional bicycle parking at the Dempster Station. In 2016, the Village announced that a Target store will be built on a formerly Village-owned property adjacent to the Dempster station. It is expected to be open in late 2017. As of recent, the following projects are approved/under construction/completed in TOD radius: -A Single-Family Detached Homes project at Floral/Cleveland -Completed in November 2018 -A Mixed-Use Townhomes project at 8163 Lincoln Avenue -Under Construction as of April 2018 -A Retail project at 4844-4852 Main Street -Completed in June 2018 -A Mixed-Use Townhomes project, 'Elmwood Collection' -Under Construction as of April 2018 -A Mixed-Use Apartments project at 8025 Skokie Boulevard -Approved in March 2018 -A Live-Work Townhomes project, 'Luxury on Lincoln' -Under Construction as of Nov 2018 -A Mixed-Use Condo project at 8039 Elmwood Avenue -Under Construction as of June 2019 -'Illinois Science + Technology Park' -Under Construction as of January 2019 -A Commercial Development project, 'Ignite Gaming' -Completed in December 2019
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $99,768
Local $24,942

Last Updated 09.16.2019

+ South Elgin Transit Improvement Plan Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan South Elgin $75,000
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project created a transit improvement study for the Village of South Elgin by identifying transit needs and opportunities within the Village in response to recent population growth and development. The project identified potential improvements to the existing Pace Route #801 as well as recommendations for potential community-based transit service. Tasks included an analysis of current travel patterns, a mobility needs assessment, development of service recommendations and implementation strategies.
Current Activities
The project was completed in November 2011. The plan was approved by the Village of South Elgin Village Board on November 21, 2011.

As of December 12, 2011, Pace Route #801 has been re-routed to provide improved service to areas of high population and employment density along Randall Road. For more information and an updated list of stops, please visit http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/route_notice_detail.asp?Notice_ID=2960. In July 2012, the Village Board added the South Elgin Transit Improvement Plan to the Village 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, as a result of the Pace Route #801 service realignment, ridership within the Village has increased five-fold.

In late 2013 Kane County DOT received CMAQ approval for the Randall Road Transit Infrastructure Improvements project. This project funds Phase 2 Engineering and Construction for bus shelters, waiting pads, crosswalk markings, pedestrian signals, ADA ramps and sidewalks along Pace Route 801, as recommended in the South Elgin Transit Improvement Plan and Kane County 2040 Long Range Transit Plan CP projects. For more information please visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/strategic-investment/cmaq.

The Village created a Bike and Pedestrian Mobility Plan through the CMAP Local Technical Assistance program, which will enhance the connectivity to Route 801.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $60,000
Local $15,000

Last Updated 01.04.2017