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
+ Mount Prospect Rand Road Corridor Plan Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Mount Prospect $125,000
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project conducted an update of the Rand Road Corridor Plan, originally completed in 1998. The new plan includes an emphasis on transportation, transit access and land use along the corridor. Recommendations focus on improvements to bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, Pace bus access and suggested intersection designs to create a more multi-modal environment.
Current Activities
The final plan was accepted by the Village Board in February 2017. The RTA will continue to provide implementation support to the Village as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $100,000
Local $25,000

Last Updated 03.31.2017

+ Park Forest, Matteson and Richton Park Transportation Alternatives Study Community Planning Pedestrian Access to Transit - Mobility Management Park Forest $1,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

The RTA partnered with the villages of Park Forest, Matteson and Richton Park to prepare a transportation alternatives study. The study examined the market potential for new mobility services such as local community-based transit services, shared mobility services, and non-motorized transportation alternatives, as well as identified additional approaches to continued land development near transit services.

Current Activities

The report was completed in the summer of 2022 and can be found under "Related Reports." To advance the recommendation for improving bicycle facilities, the Village of Forest Park was awarded funding from Cook County to conduct preliminary engineering for the 26th Street Multi-Use Path through the County's 2022 Invest in Cook program awards. Completion of this multi-use path along Forest Boulevard, Norwood Boulevard, and 26th Street would allow Park Forest residents and visitors to access downtown Park Forest without a car and establish a connection to the Thorn Creek Trail. Similarly, the Village of Matteson has received construction funds for improvements to the Village portion of the Preservation Path, which will enhance connections to transit services along Lincoln Highway and to the Old Plank Trail.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $1,000

Last Updated 05.22.2023

+ Melrose Park Broadway Avenue Corridor Plan Community Planning Corridor Planning Melrose Park $99,998
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project was a corridor study that led to guidelines and recommendations to be incorporated into the Village's Comprehensive Plan update. Obstacles to the Broadway corridor becoming a vibrant transit corridor were addressed in order to create a transit friendly environment that includes improved transit infrastructure, safety and beautification elements.

Current Activities

The study was completed and adopted by the Village Board in October 2015. In 2016 the Village was awarded Federal and RTA funding to contruct pedestrian access improvements along the corridor as recommended in the plan. In 2021 the Village began implementing new wayfinding and parking signage with a new rose motif, also recommended in the plan.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $20,000
Federal $79,998

Last Updated 07.23.2021

+ 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

+ Addison Advantage Transit Improvements Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Addison $100,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project assisted the Village in identifying, analyzing, and developing a transit improvement plan to encourage, promote, and complement transportation options along Route 20/Lake Street. The study focused on Lake Street from Route 83 on the east to Swift Road on the west, taking into account Pace bus Routes 711 and 715. Redevelopment guidelines that support transit and pedestrians, and a circulation plan recommending ways to accommodate multimodal transportation throughout the corridor were prepared. This project was developed as a continuation of another RTAP Project, the DuPage Mayors and Managers DuPage Community Circulator Prototype Plan, of which the Village was a participant.

Current Activities

This project was completed in July 2010. The plan was presented to and accepted by the Village of Addison Village Board on July 6, 2010. The Village is currently exploring funding options to install bus shelters along Lake Street at key Pace bus stops as recommended in the plan.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $20,000
Federal $80,000

Last Updated 10.26.2020

+ 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

+ Romeoville East Side Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Romeoville $99,950
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description

This project created a station area plan for the new Romeoville Metra station, a planned intermediate stop on Metra's Heritage Corridor Line. The plan includes land use, circulation and connectivity plans that complement the new station and recommends transit options to connect the new station area to rest of the community.

Current Activities

The Village Board unanimously adopted the Romeoville East Side Plan on April 18, 2012 as an amendment to the Village's Comprehensive plan. In 2013 Metra included this new station/stop as part of the 2013-2017 Capital Projects Program and is currently exploring ways to obtain the necessary funding to move forward.

In May 2017 the Village broke ground construction of the new station with funding provided from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. More information can be found reading the Romeoville Press Release

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79,960
Local $19,990

Last Updated 07.28.2021

+ Metra Sunrise Express Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating Metra $858,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
The Sunrise Express is an early morning reverse commute train operating on the Metra UP North Line from Chicago to Waukegan. The service enables reverse commuters to meet 7AM work start times of north suburban employers. Other benefits include a viable suburb-to-suburb option for commuters living north of Chicago and an additional inbound train. Funding History 2007 Local Federal Total $250,000 $250,000 $500,000 2008 Local Federal Total $179,000 $179,000 $358,000
Current Activities
Metra implemented the project April 2, 2007. JARC funding for this project was exhausted in October 2011. In its last year of funding the project averaged 8,121 trips per month. Metra continues to provide the service with its own funds.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $429,000
Federal $429,000

Last Updated 09.17.2014

+ Pace Market Feasibility Study for North Central Shuttle Service Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Pace Suburban Bus $75,417
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
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
Source Amount
RTA $15,083
Federal $60,334

Last Updated 02.28.2013

+ Robbins TOD Plan Update Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Robbins $25,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

The RTA and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) assisted the Village to develop the Robbins TOD and Industrial Areas Plan, which examined strategies and locations for potential redevelopment near the Village's Metra station. As part of the Robbins Stormwater Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration project conducted by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, approximately 140 acres of land near the Robbins Metra station will be removed from the floodplain, making it available for potential development. To establish a development strategy for this area, the Village embarked on the TOD and Industrial Areas Plan, which envisions a mixed-use neighborhood with a stormwater park to the north.

Current Activities

The Robbins Board of Trustees adopted the Robbins TOD and Industrial Areas Plan at their February 28, 2023 meeting. The adopted plan can be found in "Related Reports."

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $25,000

Last Updated 01.03.2024