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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+ | 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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+ | Chicago Heights Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Chicago Heights | $99,575 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project examined potential pedestrian enhancements and transit-supportive land uses within the City's downtown which includes the Pace Chicago Heights bus terminal and a proposed site for a station on the SouthEast Service Line Extension. Current Activities
The plan was adopted by the City Council in November 2009. The plan recommends locating the station near the existing 17th Street Crossing and closing the 17th Street Crossing to provide for safe access to the station. Redevelopment of the area around the station includes mixed-use and condo and townhouse style housing. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.08.2017 |
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+ | Metra Sunrise Express | Section 5310 / JARC / NF | Operating | Metra | $858,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated 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
Last Updated 09.17.2014 |
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+ | Marengo Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Marengo | $99,740 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project assessed the feasibility of the City's preferred transit station location and developed a conceptual station area plan for a potential transit station located within the City on the potential Milwaukee District West Line service extension to Marengo. See Metra Marengo Extension Commuter Rail Feasibility Study for more information: https://metrarail.com/sites/default/files/assets/about-metra/marengofeasibilitystudy_022410.pdf. Current Activities
The Village Board adopted the final plan in June 2009. The RTA is monitoring progress and will provide implementation support as needed. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 07.18.2023 |
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+ | Regional Transit Coordination Plan (RTCP) Market Identification and Sensitivity Analysis | Mobility Management | Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) | $0 |
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Completed | ||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation. Current Activities
Results from the 2002 RTA Market Survey are being utilized by RTA staff to inform development of improvements within all areas of coordination. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.18.2023 |
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+ | Plainfield STAR Line Transit-Oriented Development District Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Plainfield | $123,123 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project developed a plan to guide development in and around the possible Plainfield station area site on the proposed Metra STAR Line commuter rail line. The resulting plan provides recommendations to link the proposed station area with the existing downtown, residential areas and employment centers as well as transit-oriented development options.
Current Activities
The Village Board adopted the final plan in June 2009. A Park-N-Ride was implemented in 2009 at New Van Dyke Rd and Village Center Drive to connect to Pace Route #855. Additionally, Planning, Engineering and Environmental phases of the proposed Metra STAR Line project were completed in 2012. Further development of the STAR Line has not taken place since 2012. For more information please visit: STAR Line Alternatives Analysis Final Report.
In 2018 Pace began operations of the new Plainfield Park-n-Ride lot to support the Pace I-55 Bus on Shoulder service. Although this transit service in Plainfield is Bus on Shoulder service instead of STAR Line service, this lot is a recommendation of the 2007 plan. In the spring of 2018 the Village entered into a a public-private partnership with a builder with the intent to encourage new development on several acres adjacent to the Park-N-Ride lot at Van Dyke and Wood Farm Roads. The new development will include a new Emergency Management Agency building for the Village. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.30.2018 |
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+ | Evanston Multi-Modal Master Transportation Plan | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Evanston | $100,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The general scope of the project was to develop mode specific plans (transit, pedestrian, and auto) to compliment and integrate with the existing Evanston Bike Plan. The goal was to foster an integrated and coordinated transportation system throughout Evanston. The RTA participated in the transit component of this plan.
Current Activities
in late 2013 the City received CMAQ approval for a protected bike lane along Dodge Avenue from Church Street to Howard Street. This project will begin in 2014 and will improve access and safety for bicyclists throughout the downtown TOD area. For more information please visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/strategic-investment/cmaq. Additionally, the City was selected as part of the 2015 RTA Community Planning Program to explore ways to create a TOD Parking Policy throughout the City. The completed policy is expected to be adopted by the City Council in fall of 2016.
In fall of 2015, the City was awarded CMAQ funding to construct covered bicycle parking at the Main Street CTA and Metra stations through the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.31.2017 |
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+ | #65 Grand Avenue & #7 Harrison | Section 5310 / JARC / NF | Operating | Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) | $1,772,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
These accessible bus routes will be enhanced by increasing service frequency and hours of operation to improve access from Chicago's west side, an area of higher unemployment with pockets of low income residents to employment destinations that include the Illinois Medical District, University of Illinois-Chicago, the Brick Yard Mall/Wal-Mart area, Navy Pier, and Michigan Avenue.
Current Activities
Route 7 - CTA implemented the service on June 6, 2008. The 11,600 trips attributable to the expanded service.
Route 65 - CTA implemented the service on March 23, 2008. The service provided 212,100 trips in June 2014 with an estimated 20,200 trips attributable to the expanded service. Both of these service are now operated without federal operating assistance.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 09.17.2014 |
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+ | South Chicago Heights Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | South Chicago Heights | $99,655 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The study will address the redevelopment of parcels of land surrounding the proposed new SES transit station off of Sauk Road. The study will investigate the appropriate mix of residential and commercial uses within the station area and identify wayfinding, access and streetscape improvements.
Current Activities
The final plan was adopted by the Village Board on September 8, 2009 and the Village acquired property for the proposed station on the SES Line.
In 2010, Metra completed the Alternatives Analysis for the proposed SouthEast Service Line and on March 7, 2011, then Governor Quinn signed into law House Bill 1644 which established the Southeast Commuter Rail Transit District which now has authority to acquire rights to use the freight rail line, buy land to build train stations and purchase rail cars. However, in 2015 Metra put a hold on further development of the line due to limited funding resources. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.13.2017 |
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+ | Pace Service Planning Tool | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Pace Suburban Bus | $1,052,570 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
Through this project, Pace created a new ridership forecasting application that utilizes customized market research and mode choice models. Using Pace's South Cook County, Southwest Cook County, and Will County Restructuring Initiatives as the market area for this project, the resulting data and models were used to identify opportunities for service improvements. This forecasting application will be used region-wide in each of Pace's service areas. Current Activities
The Service Planning Tool is one of various methods Pace is currently using to analyze service upgrades and improvements. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 11.19.2023 |