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.
Year | Project Title | Program | Project Type | Project Partner | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||||
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+ | Niles Bus Oriented-Development Plan for Milwaukee Avenue | Community Planning | Corridor Planning | Niles | $100,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This plan explored transit oriented development opportunities along Milwaukee Avenue within the Village of Niles. The plan focused on strategies to improve transit facilities and services within the context of an overall effort to improve the function and aesthetics of the Milwaukee Avenue corridor. Improvements to transit facilities, new pedestrian amenities, streetscaping, traffic circulation, access to businesses, and potential redevelopment opportunities are major components addressed in the plan. Coordination with existing Pace service and the Niles Free Bus service was also explored. Current Activities
This project was initiated in March of 2005 and is now complete. The Niles Village Board approved the Milwaukee Avenue Plan on January 24, 2006. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | Park Forest Metra Electric District 211th Street Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Park Forest | $100,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project studied the area surrounding the 211th Street Station, focusing on transit oriented development and pedestrian and vehicular access improvements. The Villages of Park Forest, Olympia Fields, and Matteson participated in this study. This study was completed in September 2007.
Current Activities
Park Forest received a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (ILDCEO) for a Phase II study in summer of 2010 to explore development and financial incentives to realize recommendations in the RTA-funded study. A Steering Committee consisting of representatives from Pace, Metra, RTA and Park Forest, Olympia Fields and Matteson finalized the Phase II study in the Fall of 2012 and all three communities are now focusing on implementing the recommendations. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | Regional Transit Coordination Plan (RTCP) Service Coordination Component | Mobility Management | Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) | $0 |
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Completed | ||||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation. Current Activities
Specific service coordination improvements are being developed through the RTA's Community Planning and Sub-Regional Planning Programs and are being implemented through the RTA's Innovation, Coordination & Enhancement (ICE) Program. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.18.2023 |
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+ | Skokie and Evanston: Skokie Swift Corridor Travel Market Analysis | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Evanston/Skokie | $150,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA, City of Evanston, and Village of Skokie will cooperate in a corridor level travel market analysis to explore the potential need for new intermediate stations on the CTA Skokie Swift (Yellow Line) and extension of the line north and/or south to serve existing and emerging travel markets. The corridor is expected to span all or portions of Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove, Glenview, Northfield, Northbrook and portions of the far north side of Chicago. This study will complement a recently completed Location Feasibility Study which looked at optimal locations for new stations and a north extension to the Old Orchard Road area within the village of Skokie based on physical feasibility. The travel market analysis will assess the ability of line extensions and new intermediate stations to efficiently and effectively serve current and future corridor travel needs; and their impact on existing transportation services. Current Activities
In addition to identifying major travel patterns and markets that could support a line extension, the study also evaluated three potential new station locations in south Evanston at Dodge Avenue, Asbury Avenue and Ridge Avenue. In May 2011, Evanston began a feasibility study for an infill station on the Yellow Line. On January 25, 2011, a city advisory group identified Asbury as the recommended new stop location. The Evanston City Council accepted the advisory group's report but funding has not yet been identified for the station's construction. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | Wood Dale Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Wood Dale | $91,700 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This study provided a station area plan that examined ways to integrate development plans and increase access to the station, taking into account the roadway re-alignment and rail grade separation feasibility studies that are currently underway. A market analysis was conducted to ascertain the commercial, residential, and retail markets in the station area.
Current Activities
The study was completed in June, 2006. The Village is currently exploring technical assistance opportunities to update their village-wide comprehensive plan. Once this is accomplished, rezoning the TOD area is the next step. Wood Dale Station, a mixed-use condo building, was built across from the station in 2006 and additional condos were built along Irving Park Road in the TOD area. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | Cook-DuPage Corridor Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) | $1,618,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA led the Cook-DuPage Corridor study with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to examine a broad range of transportation system improvements to address the mobility needs in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Cook-DuPage Corridor covers a large portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is centrally located in the region. It extends approximately 30 miles from Cicero Avenue (IL50) in the city of Chicago/town of Cicero to the Kane/DuPage county line. Metra's Milwaukee District-West and Burlington Northern Santa-Fe commuter lines form the north and south boundaries respectively. The corridor spans all or portions of 51 municipalities in suburban Cook and DuPage counties and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, an area that includes over 1 million residents and 750,000 jobs. The Cook-DuPage Corridor is one of several corridors recommended for multi-modal analysis in the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (CATS, October 2003). The Plan includes a number of major transit and highway proposals to address congestion and improve mobility in the western suburbs of Cook and DuPage counties. These are: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the west end of the Eisenhower Expy. (I-290); Additional lanes on the East-West Tollway (I-88); Extension of the CTA Blue Line Congress branch to the western suburbs of DuPage County; Ogden Avenue transitway, from Navy Pier to North Riverside; Cermak Road bus rapid transit; DuPage County "J" bus rapid transit corridor, connecting Naperville, Oak Brook, O'Hare and Schaumburg; Inner Circumferential rail service (IHB/BRC) between O'Hare and Midway. Mobility problems and potential solutions will be examined in three study phases spanning 2003-2010: 1) Travel Market Analysis, 2) Options Feasiblity, and 3) System Analysis. Locally led study components will be undertaken to formulate corridor planning standards and community development and land use plans/policies. Current Activities
The Cook-DuPage Corridor Travel Market Analysis final report was published in December 2005. The second phase of study, Options Feasibility, was begun in early 2006 and completed in mid 2008. The RTA officially closed the Cook DuPage Corridor Study in April 2009. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.19.2021 |
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+ | La Grange Comprehensive Plan Update and BNSF Corridor Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | La Grange | $125,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
As part of the Village of La Grange's effort to revise their Comprehensive Plan, the Village performed a detailed analysis of transit-oriented development opportunities along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) corridor, which includes two Metra stations in the Village. This project was completed in May 2005.
Current Activities
The Village has seen major redevelopment and build-up of their downtown over the past 10-12 years with a mix of national chains and local businesses, along with condo and townhome development. The RTA is currently working with the Village of La Grange to update their Comprehensive and TOD Plans. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | Mundelein Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Mundelein | $78,568 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The plan emphasized an appropriate mix of land uses to revitalize a currently under utilized area adjacent to the commuter rail station. Revitalizing the area with the addition of appropriate access improvements will effectively connect the station area with the Village's downtown. This project was completed in January 2005. Current Activities
Phase I of the nine-building Cardinal Square development, an 84 unit building located directly east of the Metra Station, was completed and occupied in 2008. Phase II, a 65 unit building, was completed in 2015. As of October 2022, construction of Phase III (180 units) is ongoing and nearing completion. The Village, in partnership with Weston Solutions, broke ground on a new mixed-use biulding in April of 2013. This new building is part of a larger redevelopment of the Village Center and will include a new village hall and new retail/office space. Construction is completed and the Village held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 6, 2014. As part of this project, the Village also constructed a new public right-of-way, Plaza Circle, to provide better access to the Metra station and Village Hall. In October 2022, the Village approved a redevelopment plan for a 165 unit development adjacent to the new Village Hall on Plaza Circle. To implement these projects, which were central recommendations of the 2005 TOD plan, the Village purchased ten acres of land previously occupied by an industrial building. The tenant of the building was relocated to another Village-owned property immediately south of the Metra commuter parking lot. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | New Lenox Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | New Lenox | $121,629 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project created a concept plan for a mixed-use development located at the proposed new Metra commuter station on the SouthWest Line extension. The 240- acre site located at Laraway and Cedar Roads is currently vacant. The village's goal is to create a transit-supportive development.
Current Activities
This study (completed in 2005) addressed a proposed station at Laraway Road along the Southwest Service expansion. This expansion project, which included 11 miles of new track, was completed in January 2006, including the Laraway Road station (opened October 9, 2006). As part of the 2013 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects, the RTA worked with ULI to convene a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice to the Village as they try to attract development to the 240-acre vacant area near the Laraway Road Metra Station. This discussion took place on October 25, 2013 and the Summary Report can be found in Related Studies. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | Oak Park Intermodal Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Oak Park | $241,518 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This study examined ways to increase usage of the station, increase access to the station by alternative modes of transportation, enhance transfers between modes at the station, and integrate with development plans.
Current Activities
This project was completed in May 2005. 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 communities are completed Comprehensive Plans that include recommendations for priority redevelopment parcels in each community's TOD area. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.14.2024 |