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 Sort descending
+ Bellwood Pace Route Access Improvements Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Bellwood $750,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

The project funds improvements along St. Charles Road for 1.1 miles, from Mannheim Road to 25th Avenue, which is served by Pace Route 313 and near the Bellwood and Melrose Park Metra stations. Improvements include two bus shelter pads (Pace is providing the shelters), four benches, sidewalk connectors, crosswalks, ADA accessibility improvements, pedestrian lighting, and bicycle racks.

Current Activities

Project completed.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $150,000
Federal $600,000

Last Updated 10.17.2022

+ Buffalo Grove TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Buffalo Grove $21,666
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
Buffalo Grove was chosen as part of the 2011 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects to create zoning guidelines for both the Buffalo Grove and Prairie View station areas to encourage transit-supportive development.
Current Activities
Updated regulations & design guidelines for both station areas were completed in August 2012. The RTA continues to track development progress in both station areas and to offer implementation assistance when appropriate.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $4,334
Federal $17,332

Last Updated 06.30.2016

+ Wood Dale Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Wood Dale $3,500
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
The Village was chosen as part of the 2011 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects for assistance with developer recruitment and solicitation of opportunities in the TOD study area.
Current Activities
This panel convened in July 2012 to discuss potential redevelopment opportunities on City-owned land across from the Metra station. A summary of this discussion can be found below under Study Documents below. The RTA is monitoring progress and will offer assistance with implementation as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,500

Last Updated 10.04.2017

+ Transportation to Work '15 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating DuPage County $642,048
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
The Ride DuPage to Work is a service of the Ride DuPage system designed to enable persons with disabilities greater opportunities to obtain and maintain employment through more affordable transportation. DuPage Transportation to Work, initially funded with the 2006 program, was implemented March 1, 2008. DuPage County became the grantee for the project in 2010. Prior to that Pace served as the project grantee.
Current Activities
The service provided 2,597 trips in December 2017. This project is complete. Funds have been fully expended.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $321,024
Federal $321,024

Last Updated 06.19.2019

+ Inner and Outer Circumferential Rail Corridors Feasibility Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Metra $188,721
  • RTA
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project determined the most viable markets for commuter rail service along the inner (IHB/BRC) and outer (EJE) circumferential rail corridors for the proposed Metra STAR line, a line that would connect suburb to suburb instead of travel in and out of downtown Chicago. The segments identified will be advanced in the planning process through more detailed analysis in the future.
Current Activities
This project was completed, and a final report published in June 2005. After completing an Alternatives Analysis for the STAR Line in 2012, Metra chose not to continue to pursue the project due to a variety of factors.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $30,755
Local $51,464
Federal $106,502

Last Updated 06.08.2017

+ Midlothian Station Area Enhancement Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Midlothian $140,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

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.

Earlier in 2012 the Village was awarded a $400,000 US EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant to conduct 20 Phase I assessments and 12 Phase II assessments throughout the Village, mostly in the TOD area. The Village has also spent considerable effort in preparing for a Letter of Map Revision for the flood plain in the west side of the Village Center with technical assistance and support from CMAP. Assessing the clean-up and flooding issues in the TOD area will allow the Village to pursue and attract realistic development opportunities.

In early 2015 the RTA applied for and was awarded CMAQ funding on behalf of the Village to improve sidewalks and pedestrian access along 147th and near the Metra station. These improvements were constructed in 2018.

In 2016 the Village partnered with CMAP through their Local Technical Assistance program to envision potential pedestrian and stormwater management improvements at key points along 147th Street between Cicero Avenue and Kedzie Avenue. This project included a Complete Streets on-site demonstration event to show the types of potential improvements, cost estimates for improvements and funding sources to implement recommended improvements along 147th.

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
Source Amount
RTA $60,000
Federal $80,000

Last Updated 02.02.2023

+ Berwyn Transit-Oriented Master Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Berwyn $95,391
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project produced a transit-oriented development plan for the three Berwyn Metra station areas along the Metra BNSF rail corridor between Harlem Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue: LaVergne, Berwyn and Harlem Ave.

Current Activities

The final plan was adopted by the City Council in November 2008. In the same year the City constructed a shared parking deck on Grove Avenue for their downtown using a combination of local and federal funds. They are also currently in talks with developers to develop key pieces of property within their TOD area.

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 RTA is provided in-kind assistance to the West Cook Housing Collaborative as a member of the steering committee that discussed strategies to attract TOD investment in each community. The city of Berwyn has secured $11 million in grant funding to complete infrastructure improvements in the Depot District. These improvements will include improved pedestrian accommodations, new lighting, green infrastructure such as permeable pavers, new lighting, bike lanes and bike racks. Final design and then bidding the work will continue through the end of 2017.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $19,078
Federal $76,313

Last Updated 01.19.2023

+ RGAs Safety Transportation Training Program '08 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Mobility Management Ray Graham Association $43,406
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
The project will assess and provide training to the disabled and older adults to improve their ability to utilize transportation services.
Current Activities
Since the project's inception in September 2009 through June 2014, the project received 498 referrals with 454 participants having completed training. This project is complete
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $8,681
Federal $34,725

Last Updated 06.13.2019

+ Skokie Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Skokie $3,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

RTA worked with ULI and the Village to coordinate a developer panel to determine a practical approach to creating a financially-feasible, transit-supportive neighborhood of mixed-use commercial and residential development. The project focused will be along the corridors adjacent to the Oakton-Skokie CTA Station and the neighboring high-density multifamily residential neighborhoods. This effort is intended to support the new CTA station, CTA and Pace Suburban Bus services, and the neighborhood's commercial areas.

Current Activities

This discussion was held on July 10th and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Related Studies section.

In 2020, construction began on a $64 million, 153-unit mixed-use development located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street.  Called Highpoint at 8000 North, this development is emblematic of the type of development that Developer Panel participants recommended for the Oakton Street corridor. The Village anticipates that the development will be open for residents in 2022.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,000

Last Updated 01.10.2022

+ Lake Villa Metra Station Access Improvements Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Lake Villa $330,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This project connects over 230 residential housing units with the Lake Villa Metra Station through the construction of a 2,780 foot sidewalk and associated grading, utility adjustments, and restoration.

Current Activities

Construction of this project is complete. 

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $66,000
Federal $264,000

Last Updated 01.10.2022