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
+ Orland Park Transit-Oriented Development Planning Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Orland Park $50,000
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
The Village of Orland Park Transit-Oriented Development Planning Study developed a conceptual plan to facilitate mixed-use development in the Metra 143rd Street station area. The plan thematically ties the station area to Orland Park's historic district, south of 143rd Street. Recommendations included a mix of land uses, including housing, shops and offices surrounding a new 143rd Street Metra station. The plan also included a recommendation for the relocation of the commuter rail station to the north and east of its current location to mitigate access and circulation problems at the original station site. The study was completed in November 2000.
Current Activities

Orland Park constructed and opened a new Metra station at 143rd Street in April 2007. Service was also doubled on the SW Service line at the same time and saw a 20% increase in ridership. The Village also updated their zoning ordinance to include transit-supportive regulations.

Ninety 7 Fifty on the Park, a 295-unit luxury apartment complex & commercial development built near the 143rd Street Metra station, broke ground in March 2012 and is now fully occupied. 

In October 2014 the Residences of Orland Park Crossing, a 231‐unit rental apartment, rowhome and townhome development broke ground across the street from the 143rd Metra station at 143rd and La Grange Road and the first residential units have been delivered for occupancy. A Mariano's grocery store has also opened in the commercial area adjacent to this site.

In 2014, the University of Chicago announced that they will be developing a 120,000SF outpatient medical facility at the northwest corner of 143rd Street and LaGrange Road which opened in December 2016. In conjunction with this project, the Village constructed a parking structure at the northeast corner of 143rd Street and Ravinia Avenue which opened in October 2016. This project adds 520+ spaces on roughly two acres of currently vacant municipal-owned land and includes a 12,000 square foot restaurant space.

In March 2017 the next development for the station area was announced by the Village for the 1.6-acre, triangle-shaped property it owns just west of the Ninety 7 Fifty on the Park apartment building and south of the 143rd Street Metra station, which is a two story, 80,000 sq. ft. mixed used building. This newest development is anchored by a luxury cinema on the second floor with first floor specialty retail and restaurant tenants.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $30,000
Local $20,000

Last Updated 02.13.2024

+ Village of Carpentersville Transit Improvement Plan Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Carpentersville $74,979
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project examined ways to improve transit options to employment areas within the Village and in neighboring communities. A detailed market analysis was performed to determine the feasibility for a variety of transportation services with recommendations focusing on low-cost, easily-implementable improvements.
Current Activities
The Final Report was completed in early December. The Final Plan was approved by the Village Board on December 16, 2014. The Village is now undertaking outreach efforts to market Pace Rideshare and carpooling.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $59,983
Local $14,996

Last Updated 01.04.2017

+ 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

+ 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

+ Villa Park TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Villa Park $21,666
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
The Village was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program to update their zoning regulations in their TOD study area.
Current Activities
New zoning districts were created through this project and the Village adopted the new regulations on July 8, 2013. The new TOD area zoning regulations can be found here.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $4,334
Federal $17,332

Last Updated 01.04.2017

+ Elgin National Street Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Elgin $100,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

The City of Elgin was awarded a Community Planning grant by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to develop a Transit-Oriented Development plan for the National Street Station area. The City and consultant team worked with a steering committee, which included neighborhood residents and business owners, to develop a plan for the area around the National Street Metra Station. Valuable insights about the area were obtained through community meetings and the analysis of existing conditions. Subsequent community meetings were hosted at the library to refine and confirm proposed concept plans.

The plan proposed redevelopment opportunities for properties within a 1/4 of a mile of the National Street Train Station. The plan makes recommendations for redevelopment throughout the area particularly for the Clock Tower Plaza shopping center and intersection of National Street and Route 31. In addition to redevelopment opportunities the plan identified streetscape, pedestrian, and roadway opportunities to improve access and circulation near the station. The final report is comprised of an executive summary, detailed concept plans, design guidelines, implementation strategies and appendix including existing conditions summary and market analysis. The final report identified the importance of market forces and City actions as necessary components to implement plan objectives.

Current Activities

The City Council unanimously approved the plan on September 14th, 2011 as an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan and Design Guidelines.

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

Last Updated 07.18.2023

+ Regional Transit Coordination Plan (RTCP) Systems Analysis Component Mobility Management Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) $0
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Related 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.

The Systems Analysis component, initiated in 2004, evaluated the combined impacts of improvements within all areas of coordination: physical, service, fare and information. Major steps included identifying existing regional travel patterns, characterizing major activity centers, and addressing gaps between travel demand and travel supply.

Current Activities

Preliminary results from the systems analysis component were presented to the RTA Board in May 2005. The Final Report was completed in April 2006.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $0

Last Updated 01.18.2023

+ Forest Park TOD Zoning Code Update (Roosevelt & Harlem) Community Planning TOD Zoning Forest Park $20,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project assisted the Village with the development of a zoning ordinance overlay for the Harlem Avenue corridor between the Harlem / Lake Green Line CTA station and 16th Street as well as the Roosevelt Road corridor between 1st Avenue and Harlem Avenue. Both corridors have significant Pace and CTA bus service. A form-based zoning code approach was developed to enable the blending of new development and redevelopment for a mix of uses along each corridor and to accommodate and promote walkable, mixed-use development patterns.

Current Activities

The final draft zoning code amendments are complete and are ready for Village Board adoption as revisions into the zoning ordinance. The RTA will monitor progress of adopting the revised zoning code amendments.

In 2019, the Village Council approved zoning changes that sought to attract businesses and developers to the Village's Downtown Business District. Some of the approved changes were proposed during the zoning code update project that the Village completed in collaboration with RTA. In 2020, the Village Council approved additional modifications to the Village's zoning map.

Forest Oaks, a 56-unit multi-family development that offers affordable housing for seniors, was completed in 2020. Located at 7228 Circle Avenue, Forest Oaks is adjacent to the Harlem/Lake Green Line station and is an example of the type of development that is now permitted following the Village's adoption of the zoning amendments developed during the zoning code update project.

 

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $4,000
Federal $16,000

Last Updated 01.10.2022