Planning Programs and Projects

The RTA has awarded $53,628 to the Village of Ford Heights for Phase I engineering needed to improve the sidewalk network, add concrete pads to select bus stops, and install ADA-compliant crosswalks at key intersections surrounding the Pace Route 357. The bus route runs through the center of the village and forms a loop around the future 60-acre mixed-use New Town Center development. There are currently significant gaps in the sidewalk network that connects these surrounding areas with bus stops, and most crosswalks in the area are faded and are not ADA-compliant.

This is a general public, demand responsive dial-a-ride service that serves primarily for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the urban portions of Kendall County.   The award includes funding to support a part-time mobility manager.

In May 2022, Lake County combined and expanded the Central and West projects into a countywide service.

Ride Lake County is a borderless countywide paratransit service providing seniors (age 60 and above) and individuals with disabilities curb-to-curb transportation. The geographic service includes Lake County along with the entirety of municipalities whose city limits extend beyond the County border into Cook and McHenry County. With no limitations on the purpose of the trip the service operates Sunday through Saturday from 6:00am to 6:00pm (excluding specific holidays).

Improvements to the Oak Forest station area include improving sidewalk connectivity, signage, ADA accessibility, and pedestrian lighting. Access to eight Pace bus stops on Route #383 will also be improved.

Little City continues to provide transportation to seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are enrolled with Little City to places of employment, community-based programs, Special Olympics regional competitions, and medical appointments. 

This project continues to operate as part of the Ride DuPage program. Older adults are afforded increased employment opportunities by providing them with transportation to jobs outside of their own town and at times that may extend beyond traditional work hours. Seven local governments sponsor the service.

This project funds Phase II engineering and construction of sidewalk network improvements that will provide access from residential neighborhoods south of St. Charles Road to Pace Bus Route 313. Work will be completed for sidewalk gaps along Lee Boulevard, Morris Avenue, Rohde Avenue, Spencer Avenue, and Jerele Boulevard.

This project will construct pedestrian access improvements for southern access to the Midlothian Metra station. Improvements include installing a high capacity sidewalk along the northwest side of the Rock Island District (RID) right-of-way, between 147th Street and Pulaski Road that will link pedestrians throughout the Village to the existing commuter station. The existing pedestrian bridge over Midlothian Creek will also be made accessible with the construction of an ADA ramp. At Pulaski a new pedestrian crosswalk and pedestrian signals will be installed to link the new sidewalk with residential areas west of Pulaski. Additional supporting items include some striping, lighting and fencing.

The RTA awarded the Village of Cary construction funding to develop the Depot Plaza in downtown Cary, as envisioned in the Cary Downtown Strategic Plan. Improvements will include an open-air plaza with artificial turf, shelter for bicyclists and pedestrians waiting for the McRide bus service, ride sharing, taxis, and outbound Metra service,  modifications to the sidewalk to increase walkability and improve pedestrian safety, built in planters to add color and character, and new benches.

Lake County combined three separate dial-a-ride services, operating in the Central Lake/Shields township area, into one service. The project initially calls for Shields Township to operate separately while the Fremont and Central Lake partners (Fremont Township, Libertyville Township, Villages of Libertyville and Mundelein) are combined. The service provides expanded dial-a-ride transportation in Lake County to seniors and individuals with disabilities residing in Central Lake County. Five municipalities and Lake County sponsor the project.