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 Sort ascending | Project Title | Program | Project Type | Project Partner | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||||
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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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+ | 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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+ | Midlothian Station Area Enhancement | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Midlothian | $140,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The study produced a plan for the revitalization of the station area and surrounding commercial district. Previous Village planning studies were used as input to the plan. Current Activities
The study was completed in December 2005. In November 2012 the Village met with a panel of development experts to solicit guidance and advice on ways to capitalize on redevelopment opportunities in the TOD study area. A summary of this discussion can be found under Related Reports. In early 2019 the RTA applied for and was awarded CMAQ funding a second time on behalf of the Village to construct pedestrian access improvements for southern access to the Midlothian Metra station. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.02.2023 |
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+ | DuPage Phase I Community Circulators | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | DuPage Mayors & Managers | $170,151 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
This study assessed and refined potential market areas identified in the DuPage Area Transit Plan (DATP) for circulator services and developed preliminary service specifications/characteristics. In addition, the study explored potential institutional arrangements that are a prerequisite to successful service deployment.
Circulator service designs were completed for four communities; Addison, Downers Grove, Lombard and Wheaton. Local task forces were formed to create an implementation plan for each community. Final implementation strategies were presented to each city council/village board with a resolution recommending financial and institutional commitment.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 08.08.2017 |
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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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+ | 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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+ | Winthrop Harbor Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Winthrop Harbor | $72,200 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This study recommends the redevelopment of the Village's business district using the Metra station as the anchor, while placing emphasis on the proximity of the harbor to downtown.
Current Activities
This project was completed in January 2005. Per a recommendation in the plan, the Village enhanced the streetscape along 7th Street in the TOD area in 2010 with funding assistance from ITEP. Currently, the Village is exploring ways to market their harbor and adjacent proximity to Lake Michigan as a destination and development opportunity for condos, hotel and retail. The Village was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program for assistance revising their zoning code in the TOD area. This project began in April 2013 and new TOD area zoning regulations were adopted in May 2014. The adopted regulations can be found here. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.14.2024 |
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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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+ | Riverside Central Business District Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Riverside | $75,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project addressed redevelopment potential in the Village's historic downtown. The study also addressed improvements to the railscape.
Current Activities
The study was completed in June, 2006 and the Village worked with CMAP in 2013 to update the study to reflect the current economy. The RTA supported their efforts and continues to provide assistance as the Village implements the updated downtown plan.
In 2018 the Village was awarded funding from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to make needed pedestrian safety improvements for the area in and around the downtown Riverside Metra station. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.30.2018 |
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+ | Pace Market Feasibility Study for North Central Shuttle Service | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Pace Suburban Bus | $75,417 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This study examined the market feasibility of a comprehensive employer-based shuttle to serve employment centers located along Metra's North Central commuter line, which serves 11 Metra stations. A survey was developed and administered to employers in the corridor to determine demand for potential shuttle service.
Current Activities
This project was completed in March 2005. An initial set of routes began operations in November of 2006. These routes are the Townline Road Shuttle Bug (Route #580), Lincolnshire Shuttle Bug (Route #581) and the Discover/Baxter Shuttle Bug (Route #582). Pace is continuously exploring new opportunities to provide service to additional employers in the area.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.28.2013 |