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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+ | Lake Forest: Forest Green Transit Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Lake Forest | $100,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Through this project, the City of Lake Forest created a plan to develop and implement efficient and cost effective local transit service within the City of Lake Forest and the immediate adjacent office and commercial locations.
Current Activities
The final report and recommendations were presented to the Lake Forest City Council in November 2010. In April 2011, the City convened a Task Force consisting of City staff, key stakeholders, area employers, and Metra, Pace and RTA staff to focus on the implementation of the recommended Dial-A-Ride service outlined in the study.
The City of Lake Forest continues to address transit related improvements on several fronts. For the UP-North Line Station, exterior building improvements, such as a new roof and lighting were completed in 2016. A dedicated bus staging area has also been constructed to designate a central location for all bus boardings and alightings at the station area and the Robert McClory bike path has been relocated to separate vehicular and bicycle movements. At the MD-North Line Station, engineering for a pedestrian tunnel is complete, but the City is currently seeking final construction funding. The City also continues to work with a variety of government agencies to pursue an Amtrak stop at this location. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.31.2017 |
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+ | Robbins TOD Plan Update | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Robbins | $25,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
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
Last Updated 01.03.2024 |
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+ | Sauk Trail and Torrence Ave Corridor Study | Community Planning | Corridor Planning | Sauk Village | $180,000 |
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In Progress | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
The RTA is assisting the Village of Sauk Village to prepare a corridor study focused on segments of Sauk Trail (from Cottage Grove to Torrence Avenue) and Torrence Avenue (from Sauk Trail to US 30). The goals of the study include developing strategies to: improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and access to transit services, attract investment and development, and reduce motor vehicle speeding and crashes. Current Activities
This project kicked off in January 2024 with data collection, development of an existing conditions analysis, and the first meeting with the project Steering Committee. The project team is currently preparing for upcoming community engagement activities to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 04.29.2024 |
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+ | River Grove Developer Discussion Panel | Community Planning | Developer Panel | River Grove | $3,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project assisted the Village with implementation efforts as recommended in their recently adopted TOD plan that was funded through the Community Planning program. A developer panel was conducted with the goal of assisting the Village with several redevelopment sites identified in the plan. Future redevelopment of these sites will capitalize on the proximity to exiting transit facilities as well as help strengthen the vitality of downtown River Grove. Current Activities
The discussion panel was held on November 18, 2015. The final summary report is complete and can be found in the Related Studies section. In 2021, the River Grove Station development was completed and began leasing units. The 40-unit multi-family development is located adjacent to the River Grove Metra station in the area designated as "Site 1" in the River Grove Thatcher Avenue Transit-Oriented Development Plan (2014). This site was the subject of the 2015 Developer Panel. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.10.2022 |
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+ | Pace I-294 Tri-State Market and Facilities Feasibility Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Pace Suburban Bus | $238,095 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project included a transit market and facilities assessment of the I-294 Tri-State corridor from 159th Street Interchange in Markham to the Balmoral Interchange in Rosemont that encompasses a 5-mile radius on either side of the corridor. The assessment identified transit markets along I-294 to inform where future routes and investments in transit infrastructure could be made when the Tri-State is rebuilt, providing incentives for commuters to use public transit. Current Activities
Preferred service concepts and station concepts were documented in a report pushlished December 2021. The final report can be found under Related Studies. The RTA will monitor for implementation of the report recommendations. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 07.18.2022 |
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+ | Elgin Chicago Street Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Elgin | $100,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project created a transit-oriented development plan for an approximate ½ mile radius of the Chicago Street Metra station within the City. The plan promoted revitalization of the area by examining effective land use, multi-modal interconnectivity, and retail and residential redevelopment strategies. Recommendations focused on streetscape improvements, transit access improvements and land use recommendations. Specific land use recommendations focused on new multi-family residential and commercial uses in the station area. Current Activities
The final plan was approved by the City Council in December 2014. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.16.2021 |
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+ | New Lenox Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | New Lenox | $121,629 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project created a concept plan for a mixed-use development located at the proposed new Metra commuter station on the SouthWest Line extension. The 240- acre site located at Laraway and Cedar Roads is currently vacant. The village's goal is to create a transit-supportive development.
Current Activities
This study (completed in 2005) addressed a proposed station at Laraway Road along the Southwest Service expansion. This expansion project, which included 11 miles of new track, was completed in January 2006, including the Laraway Road station (opened October 9, 2006). As part of the 2013 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects, the RTA worked with ULI to convene a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice to the Village as they try to attract development to the 240-acre vacant area near the Laraway Road Metra Station. This discussion took place on October 25, 2013 and the Summary Report can be found in Related Studies. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.15.2024 |
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+ | Harvey TOD Plan Update | Community Planning | TOD Plan Update | Harvey | $142,099 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA assisted the City to update its TOD Plan that was completed in 2005 for areas surrounding the Pace Harvey Transportation Center, including the Metra station, the Pace Transportation Center, the adjacent civic campus and points west to connect to residential areas and the University of Chicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital. The plan addresses population loss and ways to leverage improvements underway at the Metra station and Transportation Center to rebuild the downtown population through higher-density, transit-supportive, quality infill development. Current Activities
The Plan was presented in March 2022 to the City Council. The final report and supporting documents can be found under "Related Reports". The City is pursuing funding for various roadwork, public plazas and gathering spaces as identified in the plan and later in 2022 was awarded design engineering funds for the 154th Street Improvement Project. The project will include pedestrian safety and ADA compliant sidewalk improvements by upgrading the pavement, sidewalk, and lighting conditions along 154th Street. The RTA will continue monitoring for plan implementation activities. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.11.2023 |
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+ | Bellwood Developer Discussion Panel | Community Planning | Developer Panel | Bellwood | $3,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The RTA coordinated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to bring in a panel of development experts to the Village to provide guidance and advice on ways the community can attract TOD investment along St. Charles Road near the Bellwood Metra station.
Current Activities
This Discussion Panel took place on November 17, 2014 and a summary report of this discussion can be found below in the Study Documents.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 11.30.2015 |
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+ | Northbrook TOD Zoning Code Update | Community Planning | TOD Zoning | Northbrook | $21,666 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
This project examined the TOD area to identify ways to revise the zoning regulations to address the transit-supportive land use recommendations found in the Downtown Plan. The result was a proposed form-based code for the Downtown district.
Current Activities
The TOD zoning code revisions are complete and waiting on adoption by the Northbrook Village Board. The Board has met several times between 2016 and 2020 to discuss the proposed form-based code and potential revisions that would address Trustees' feedback.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.03.2020 |