Planning Programs and Projects

This project funds phase II engineering and construction to remove and replace curb ramps and blended sidewalk areas to comply with ADA standards in 21 locations within the Village. Improvements will consist of removing and replacing sidewalks, curb ramps and curbs, adjusting frames/grates to meet final grade, Hot-mix asphalt pavement patching will be utilized to restore pavement areas. Thermoplastic pavement marking and landscape restoration shall also occur as part of this improvement. Locations selected focus on those areas traveled by residents to access the Metra Bellwood station and Pace bus stops within the Village.

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.

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.

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.

Funding for this project will complete Phase II engineering and construction of pedestrian access improvements along US Rte. 14, IL Route. 173, Marengo Road, and Ayer Street. The project includes new sidewalks, ADA improvements, crosswalks, and a Pace Bus shelter. These improvements will better connect residents to the Harvard Metra Station and the Pace Bus Route 808.

The RTA awarded $55,000 to the City of Harvard for Phase I engineering needed for pedestrian access improvements along Illinois Route 173 from Marengo Road to US Route 14, including new sidewalks, ADA crosswalks, and pedestrian access over Mokeler Creek. Currently, there are no sidewalks along Route 173, forcing pedestrians to walk on the shoulder. At the crossing of Mokeler Creek, pedestrians have to walk in the travel lanes of Route 173 to get over the creek.

The RTA has awarded $55,000 to the City of Harvey to complete Phase I engineering required for improvements along Broadway Avenue in downtown Harvey. The project will include transit access improvements such as bus shelters, pedestrian improvements including ADA-compliant intersections, and new roadway bike facilities. These improvements will better provide for a multi-modal downtown Harvey and will connect the new Pace Harvey Transportation Center with Broadway Avenue.

The RTA has awarded $44,000 to the Village of Maywood for Phase I engineering needed for a covered bicycle shelter near the 5th Avenue Metra station served by the Union Pacific West line, heated bus shelters along 5th Avenue as served by Pace, wayfinding signage for the train station, and pavement marking improvements.

The RTA is providing the Village of Plainfield Phase II engineering and construction funds to build a 0.6 mile extension of a 10' wide shared-use path along the south side of 143rd Street from Van Dyke Road to Wallin Drive. Wayfinding signage to the Plainfield Park-n-Ride and downtown Plainfield will be included along the route. These improvements will better connect residents to transit and downtown Plainfield. 

The RTA provided assistance to the City of Des Plaines in soliciting guidance and advice from development experts through a half-day discussion panel. This panel discussed the development climate and potential strategies to prepare for and attract development to specific parcels near the the intersection of Lee and Oakton Streets, adjacent to Pace Route 250 and future stations for the Pace Pulse Dempster Line. The goal of the developer discussion was to provide direct insight to local public officials and landowners on the current market for development within the study area and ways in which the City can attract reinvestment adjacent to transit stations.