Planning Programs and Projects

The RTA partnered with the villages of Park Forest, Matteson and Richton Park to prepare a transportation alternatives study. The study examined the market potential for new mobility services such as local community-based transit services, shared mobility services, and non-motorized transportation alternatives, as well as identified additional approaches to continued land development near transit services.

The RTA assisted the VIllage of Riverside with an update to the Village of Riverside's Zoning Ordinance. The update reflects current development trends and is a step towards implementing the Central Business District Plan that promotes pedestrian oriented redevelopment near the Riverside Metra station while preserving the character of the downtown. The code revisions also align the zoning code along Harlem Ave in a manner that more transit friendly and is based on the recommendations of the Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan, developed by the RTA and Pace. The update also addresses zoning issues related to protecting the Village's national historic landmark designation.

This project improved access to the Bensenville Metra Station through the construction of new sidewalks and bike parking at the station and along the adjacent Railroad Ave. Additionally, the commuter parking lot was reconfigured to enhance pedestrian and transit access to the station through the addition of a bus shelter and sidewalks. Other improvements included widened sidewalks, ornamental roadway lighting, bike racks, crosswalks, and a bus layover area.

This project assisted the Village of Brookfield with a Developer Discussion Panel to gather guidance and advice from development experts. The objective is to attract development to vacant sites and encourage infill development. The Developer Discussion Panel helped the Village determine goals and needs in order to best utilize the land.

This project funded construction of covered bicycle parking at both the Congress Park and Brookfield Metra Stations. Twenty-four racks were installed at Congress Park and 12 at Brookfield. These improvements leverage Brookfield's existing bicycle facilities and support the annual Bike Brookfield event.

This project developed a plan for two corridors, the East 75th and East 79th Street corridors, between Stony Island Avenue and the lakefront in the South Shore neighborhood. The plan identifies 10 Ideas for Action to improve land use, business retention, housing and connectivity to transit for both corridors.

The project will add access improvements to the Chicago Heights Pace terminal located at 16th St. and Vincennes Ave. They include replacement of existing sidewalks, adding ADA-compliant crosswalks, a bus staging lane and covered bike parking.

The RTA assisted the Town of Cicero with a comprehensive update the Town's Zoning Code to better align the code with their recently adopted Cicero Connections Initiative Plan, (funded by the RTA) and the Town's Comprehensive Plan. The project explored form based code elements to create a unified and streamlined zoning code process that will attract development, and will recognize the availability of transit service to explore greater density in commercial neighborhoods, sustainable development principles, and reduced zoning code parking requirements.

This project provides transportation services to more than 8,000 children & adults with Intellectual/developmental disabilities. Clients are transported to work, school, day programs, medical appointments, community recreation, and other activities.