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 Sort descending | Project Type | Project Partner | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||
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+ | Morton Grove Commuter Station Location Analysis | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Morton Grove | $99,500 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Village of Morton Grove Commuter Station Location Analysis prepared redevelopment scenarios for the Lehigh/Ferris area that included recommendations for high density residential, improvements to commuter rail station facilities and the expansion of commuter parking. The study also determined that relocating the existing commuter station and realigning Lehigh Avenue was not feasible. Realigning Lincoln Avenue at Ferris to cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle is recommended and the preferred alternative.
Current Activities
In 2010, the Village received an ITEP grant for $446,600 to help defray the cost of a realignment of Lincoln Avenue to mitigate traffic and safety issues at the at-grade crossing, a recommendation from the study. The Village is still searching for funding to complete this project. The Woodlands (320 condominiums and 78 townhomes) was built between 2002 and 2006. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.14.2024 |
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+ | Pace North Avenue Corridor Study | Community Planning | Corridor Planning | Pace Suburban Bus | $200,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project funded technical assistance to Pace to conduct a corridor study of North Avenue between Harlem Avenue and York Road. This study aligned with the goals and objectives of the Pace Vision 20/20 plan as well as addressed regional concerns expressed in the CMAP GOTO 2040 plan. Recommendations include providing improved access to current Pace and CTA bus services, providing improved connections for people walking and biking, transportation and land-used tactics to improve the corridor for future Pace Pulse service, and some redevelopment concepts for two sites with redevelopment opportunity along the corridor. Current Activities
This study was completed in June 2017 and Pace staff has begun to determine which of the recommendations to consider first for implementation. In 2021 the Village of Melrose Park was awarded $566,000 from Cook County as part of the 2021 Invest in Cook grant program awards. The funds will be used to make roadway improvements at the intersection of IL-64 (North Avenue) and George Street. Correcting the offset intersection will improve safety for motorists and other users while also improving traffic circulation along commercial properties. Construction will involve installation of new traffic signals, relocating a shopping center entrance drive, as well as modifying sidewalks, ADA ramps, and a bike path. The 2017 Pace North Avenue Corridor Plan highlighted this intersection as needing modifications to better serve Pace riders, which this project will accomplish. The City of Northlake was also awarded funding for right-of-way for roadway improvements to Railroad Avenue, a major trucking corridor within the City. This project will bring Railroad Avenue up to modern design standards for safety and efficiency and improve the movement of trucks in the area. Improvements include adding a southbound right turn lane to improve capacity at the intersection of IL 64 (North Avenue) and Railroad Avenue, upgrading pedestrian accommodations to current ADA standards, and providing new signalized pedestrian crossings. The new signalized pedestrian crossing will improve access to the Pace 309 route. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.10.2022 |
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+ | Huntley Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Huntley | $105,513 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project developed a station area plan for a potential station to be located within the Village of Huntley on the potential Milwaukee District West Line service extension to Marengo. The feasibility of two sites were examined. The concept plan recommends a station location, addresses land uses of surrounding properties, and identifies parking and access options.
Current Activities
The Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines final report was adopted by the Village Board in June 2011. The RTA is monitoring progress and will provide implementation support as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 07.01.2019 |
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+ | La Grange TOD Plan Update | Community Planning | TOD Plan Update | La Grange | $100,000 |
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In Progress | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA is assisting the Village of La Grange to update their current transit-oriented development plan adopted in 2005. By updating this plan, the Village seeks to address current construction market dynamics, changes in the retail industry, and changing commuting habits to poise the community to take advantage of future redevelopment opportunities. In particular, the Village seeks to invite redevelopment on the West End, which has seen no new development since 2005. The proposed study area encompasses the Central Business District of La Grange, the West End Business District, and other properties within less than one quarter mile from each Metra Station in La Grange. Current Activities
The La Grange Forward Plan has continued to progress towards a draft plan. Draft recommendations have been presented to the Plan Commission and various boards and commissions in the Village. Public comments are currently being taken on the draft recommendations and a public open house will be held in May. More information and engagement opportunities can be found on the project website lagrangeforward.org. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 04.29.2024 |
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+ | Elburn TOD Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Elburn | $124,909 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
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. Current Activities
Work on this project began in 2021 with an existing conditions analysis and a series of community engagement events and surveys. After developing a set of recommendations and implementation steps, the project team presented the draft plan at the third public workshop in April 2022. The Elburn Village Board adopted the plan as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan at their July 18 meeting after receiving a unanimous recommendation for adoption from the Planning Commission. The adopted plan is available under "Related Reports." Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.22.2023 |
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+ | Pace Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan | Community Planning | Corridor Planning | Southwest Conference of Mayors | $197,155 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project was sponsored by the Southwest Conference of Mayors and resulted in a plan to improve traffic movement and transit options along Harlem Avenue from 63rd Street to I-80, making Harlem Avenue a more vibrant and active corridor in the southwest suburbs. Current Activities
The Southwest Conference of Mayors hosted a Developers Summit on September 2013 to discuss the recommendations of the Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan with potential developers. In September of 2020 demolition commenced of a long-vacant trucking terminal at 10301 S. Harlem Ave. in Chicago Ridge. The 75-acre property originally owned by Yellow Freight property lies within a 105-acre TIF zone stretching along Harlem, the largest tract of land available for development in the Village. In 2021 the Village of Worth was awarded Invest in Cook funding for a 0.8-mile long new sidewalk and multi-use path north of the Cal-Sag Channel between Harlem Avenue and Metra’s SouthWest Service Station in Palos Heights. The project will help connect Pace bus routes, retail corridors, recreational facilities, and community destinations as well as tie the Cal-Sag Trail to commuter rail service, which were recommendations of the plan. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 09.28.2021 |
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+ | DuPage County Transit Plan Update | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | DuPage County | $118,533 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project, sponsored by DuPage County, updated the DuPage County 2002 Transit Plan by developing a phased implementation of projects identified in the plan over a 20 year horizon.
Current Activities
The final plan is complete and was approved by the Public Transit Committee of the DuPage County Board in November 2011. The RTA, partnering with DuPage County, DuPage Mayors and Mangers, and Service Boards, launched a marketing campaign to promote transit in the County. Funded primarily through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant, the campaign intends to inform residents and employees in the county of their transit options and encourage them to ride public transportation. The campaign began in October 2014 and will continue to the end of 2015 and utilizes tactics such as billboards, online advertisements, marketing collateral (door hangers), mall displays, newspaper advertisement and community engagement.
CMAQ approved the RTA's submittal to fund 80% of the cost for local access to transit capital improvements for the Village of Glen Ellyn, as recommended in the DuPage County Transit Plan Update. The RTA has approved the local match as part of the 2014 budget. Installation of these improvements will begin in 2015. In late 2013 the City of Aurora received CMAQ approval for the Station Blvd Extension to IL 59 Commuter Parking Lot project. This project funded Engineering and Construction for a new driveway to the IL 59 Commuter parking lot along the Metra BNSF Line, allowing for Park-n-Ride opportunities, as recommended in the DuPage County Transit Plan Update CP project. For more information please visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/strategic-investment/cmaq. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 08.08.2017 |
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+ | Wheeling Station Area Planning Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Wheeling | $75,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project provided a coordinated plan for the redevelopment of the area around the Wheeling Metra Station, focusing on commercial and residential land uses. This project was completed in April 2004.
Current Activities
In 2009 the Village constructed a new Village Hall per a recommendation in the Plan and in 2014 the Village updated their zoning code to create mixed-use districts around the Metra station to allow, encourage and attract higher-density development. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.14.2024 |
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+ | Pace Fox Valley Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Pace Suburban Bus | $100,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project examined Pace Fox Valley service to include an origin-destination study and analysis to identify transit service improvements that will improve efficiency and increase ridership for the Fox Valley service area.
Current Activities
Based on the findings of this project, Pace implemented a services restructuring which was implemented in 2015/2016 in two phases. Five new routes were added: Route 540 Farnsworth Avenue, Route 559 Illinois Rt. 59, Route 722 Ogden Avenue, Southeast Aurora Call-n-Ride, and Naperville-Aurora Call-n-Ride. Major restructuring and/or replacement took place of seven existing routes: Route 524 West Aurora, Route 533 Northeast Aurora, Route 802 Aurora / Geneva, Route 521 East Circulator, Route 528 Aurora - Rush-Copley Medical Center, Route 529 Randall Road - 5th Street, and Route 532 Illinois Avenue. More information can be found by going to the Pace Fox Valley Initiative webpage: http://www.pacebus.com/sub/initiatives/fox_valley/fv_default.asp
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.13.2017 |
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+ | Evanston Transportation Center Planning Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Evanston | $99,210 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Evanston Transportation Center Planning Study developed conceptual plans for access improvements within and between the Evanston Davis Street transit stations and the existing and planned development in downtown Evanston. Wayfinding and pedestrian access improvements were particularily emphasized as nearly half of commuters access the stations by walking. The study also recommended specific improvements at an existing bus transfer location and a review of existing bus services to assess whether it is meeting the needs of the current transit market.
Current Activities
The study was completed in August 2001. The City incorporated design recommendations from the study, including a pedestrian ramp to the Davis Station. Mixed-use development has also been built adjacent to the east and north of the Davis St. Station.
The City was selected as part of the 2015 RTA Community Planning Program to explore ways to create a TOD Parking Policy throughout the City. In May 2020 the Evanston City Council approved an 18-story, 210,000 sq. ft. office project to be located less than 1,000 feet from both the 'L' and Metra rail service, the first high-rise office building to be constructed in the city in 20 years. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.03.2020 |