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
+ Manhattan TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Manhattan $21,666
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project updated the Village's TOD zoning regulations to reflect the transit-supportive land uses recommended in the Village Center plan.
Current Activities
The Village of Manhattan unanimously approved the Downtown Zoning District in June 2012.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $21,666

Last Updated 06.13.2017

+ McHenry County Services Restructuring Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan McHenry County $149,996
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project evaluated and recommended improvements to bus service in McHenry County as part of the County Long-Range Transportation Planning efforts. Through this study, services were examined and effective strategies and improved coordination opportunities were identified. Short term and long term service options were recommended.
Current Activities
This project is complete and implementation activities are underway. Pace has implemented the fixed route service recommendations. These recommendations include: 1. A restructure of Route 806 to service Route 31 and the heavily utilized activity generators such as big box retail stores, a senior center, and a social service center serving families. 2. A restructure of Route 807 to discontinue the loop around Wonder Lake (resulting in a 20 minute travel time reduction) and simplify routing in downtown McHenry. And, 3. A restructure of Route 808 to discontinue deviations.

These resulting improvements have allowed ridership to remain steady, while providing cost savings to Pace. Ridership on the County¿s MC Ride service continues to grow in both service area (added Village of Lakewood and Nunda Township) and ridership (reaching 90,000 trips). Additionally, Pace is investigating a fixed bus route on the north portion on Randall Road, as recommended in the plan.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $119,997
Local $29,999

Last Updated 01.04.2017

+ Naperville Metra Station Bus Depot and Commuter Access Feasibility Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Naperville $79,159
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project identified opportunities to enhance commuter access to the Naperville Metra station by evaluating alternative modes of transportation such as bus, bicycle and walking. The project evaluated the feasibility of a bus depot, provided access and circulation improvements, and prepared recommendations to create a safer and more efficient multi-modal environment.
Current Activities
On April 17, 2012 the Naperville City Council accepted the Naperville Metra Station Bus Depot and Commuter Access Feasibility Study Technical Memorandum and directed staff to incorporate improvements into their Capital Improvement Program. On February 19, 2013, the City of Naperville FY14-18 Capital Improvement Program was adopted by the City Council. It contained the following improvements related to this study: modifications to the Eastern Burlington Lot on the north side of the train tracks; modifications to the south side of the train tracks; and conversion of North Avenue (currently one-way westbound) to two-way traffic between Washington Street and Ellsworth Street. Engineering is programmed for FY13-14, with phased construction currently planned for FY15-16 through FY16-17.

In late 2013 the City of Naperville received CMAQ approval for the Washington Street Corridor Centralized Traffic Management System and Washington Street Corridor Adaptive Signal Control projects. These projects install a centralized traffic management system and adaptive signal controls along Washington Street, in the study area of the Naperville Metra Station Bus Depot and Commuter Access Feasibility Study. For more information please visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/strategic-investment/cmaq. Naperville continues to look for funding for pedestrian access to implement additional recommendations.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $63,327
Local $15,832

Last Updated 01.04.2017

+ Northbrook Downtown Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Northbrook $124,505
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project created a transit-oriented development plan for a ½ mile radius around the Village's Metra station. The plan examined various underutilized properties and recommend higher density mixed use developments as appropriate.

Current Activities

The Village Board adopted the plan in spring 2012 and were directed to pursue six key issues identified by the plan. In 2014 the RTA assisted the Village with one of of these issues, a TOD zoning code update. An overlay district was drafted and the Village Staff continue to work with the Board on revisions acceptable for adoption.

A new three-story mixed use building at 1312-1318 Shermer Road in the downtown area was constructed in 2017. The building includes 10 apartment units on the second and third floors and 2,400 square feet of commercial space on the first floor with enclosed parking located behind the commercial space.

In May 2017, a 68 unit townhome development was approved for the south side of Shermer Road, east of downtown Northbrook. This was identified in the TOD plan as an opportunity area for redevelopment. The first phase of the project was complete in 2020 and phase 2 is expected to commence soon.

In December 2022, the Village was awarded funding through the Invest in Cook program for design engineering of a 1.5 mile-long shared-use sidepath on Shermer Road between Walters Avenue and Willow Road. This project will make bicycle and pedestrian travel safer for residents traveling to downtown Northbrook, the Northbrook Metra Station, and Glenbrook North High School, as well as link to the Skokie Valley Trail to facilitate regional travel. The project implements recommendations from the Plan to establish bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that connects Willow Road and downtown Northbrook.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $99,604
Local $24,901

Last Updated 05.10.2023

+ Prairie Grove TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Prairie Grove $21,666
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
The Village was chosen as part of the 2011 Community Planning Program to update their TOD area zoning regulations in anticipation of new development.
Current Activities
Adoption of the new zoning regulations is currently on hold as the property clears the foreclosure process. As soon as the property is clear, the Village will consider adopting these regulations.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $21,666

Last Updated 10.04.2017

+ Rolling Meadows Golf Road Transit and Pedestrian Mobility Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Rolling Meadows $88,760
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project provided recommendations aimed at improving pedestrian access, circulation and safety along Golf Road (IL Route 58) from Interstate 290 (IL Route 53) to Algonquin Road (IL Route 62), a 2 mile corridor that is home to several thousand professional jobs. The study focused on ways to make the area transit and pedestrian friendly, and examined the possibility of increased local transit service.
Current Activities
The final plan was presented to and approved by the City Council on March 19, 2013. An Implementation Task Force has been formed and continues to pursue funding options for plan recommendations, particularly pedestrian improvements and additional shuttle service.

The City received Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding, via the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program, to install two pedestrian signal heads, two miles of sidewalks, and five crosswalks in the study area. Installation of these improvements was completed in late 2016.

Pace initiated Call-n-Ride service for the corridor in October 2012. Additionally, the Implementation Task Force is working with the TMA of Lake Cook to investigate possible Shuttle Bug service.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $71,008
Local $17,752

Last Updated 05.31.2017

+ 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

+ Chicago South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Chicago $449,945
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
The purpose of this study was to identify public transportation improvements that will enhance mobility for residents of the study area communities and increase access to jobs located throughout the city and surrounding areas. The South Lakefront study area borders are the lakefront on the east; the Stevenson Expressway on the north; the Dan Ryan Expressway, Norfolk Southern rail yard and Cottage Grove Avenue on the west; and 95th Street on the south. Over the last 20 years, the city, businesses, and the civic community have demonstrated strong leadership and commitment in working to address many of the economic and social challenges in the study area. This study further supports this ongoing commitment by encouraging dialogue among area residents, community leaders, institutions, developers, and city and regional transit and transportation officials. The study developed consensus on the main transit-related issues and problems in the study area and on the most important transit system investments and related community development projects so that they can be advanced to more detailed study.
Current Activities
CDOT allocated $260,000 in CMAQ funding to construct pedestrian access improvements at the 35th / IIT Green Line Station. Improvements included a pedestrian plaza, pedestrian countdown signals, crosswalks, curb bump-outs and signal timing improvements on 35th Street to improve traffic flow. To further enhance the connectivity to this station the CTA extended service on the #35 31st / 35th bus route west to Cicero Avenue. Tribune article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-cta-35-bus-1010-20131010,0,5789910.story

In 2015 the CTA was awarded funds from the RTA's Community Planning program to study the slow bus service along the 79th street corridor and to identify ways to improve the slow zones, thus restoring the reliability of this important and busy bus route. This study was completed in 2018 and can be found on RTAMS.

The City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development will be partnering with the RTA in 2019 to complete a study in the South Shore neighborhood that will study land use, business retention, housing and connectivity to transit improvements for both corridors.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $359,956
Local $89,989

Last Updated 10.30.2018

+ Chicago Washington Park 63rd Street Corridor TOD Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Chicago $149,979
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project created a transit access improvement and transit-oriented development (TOD) plan for the 63rd Street Corridor in Chicago's Washington Park Neighborhood between the Cottage Grove Green Line station on the east and the King Drive Green Line station on the west. The plan outlines land use development concepts, design guidelines, and implementation strategies for access improvements and TOD along the corridor that will help maximize the existing transit investments within the neighborhood, including CTA bus routes (Route 63, which ranks ninth in overall bus ridership for the CTA) and rail services. The plan serves as a guide to enhance development, increase transit ridership and expand housing and economic development opportunities in the neighborhood.

Current Activities

This study is being used by City staff and elected officials to guide transit access improvements and land use development along the corridor. A significant amount of development has been occurring near the station. Visit our Story Map for details

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $119,983
Local $29,996

Last Updated 07.28.2021

+ Clarendon Hills Train Station Redevelopment Phase I Implementation Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Clarendon Hills $99,980
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project resulted in a phased implementation plan for advancing the redevelopment of the Clarendon Hills Metra Station area. The Village completed a transit-oriented development study for their Metra Station area in 2006; this project further refined the recommendations from that study, focusing specifically on the train station and commuter lot redevelopment. The implementation plan recommended two redevelopment alternatives. The near-term plan recommended access improvements, including a pedestrian underpass under the tracks, and revitalization of the existing station house. The long-term plan builds on the near-term plans and recommends a full redevelopment of the current commuter lot into a parking deck, commercial space and a new station house. The final report was adopted by the Village Board in March 2012.

Current Activities

Within the development area identified in the Clarendon Hills TOD plan, In 2018 two mixed-use developments were constructed within the development area identified in the Clarendon Hills TOD plan, a four-story development with 42 apartment units with 900 square feet of street level commercial at the corner of Park and Walker Avenue, and at the corner of Park and Prospect Avenues, 88 Park Avenue was completed as a three story 8-unit apartment building. Both of these projects are within a two to three block walk of the Metra station and the adjoining Pace Bus stop in downtown Clarendon Hills.

In May of 2018 Clarendon Hills received an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant for new railroad crossings gates at Prospect Avenue; improved pedestrian crossings and corner bump out enhancements at Prospect Avenue, Burlington Avenue, and Eastern Avenue/Anne Streets; installation/enhancement of bicycle lockup areas and shelters north and south of BNSF; development of a defined kiss-and-ride north of BNSF; and other streetscape improvements including plaza development, benches and street landscaping.

Reconstruction of the Clarendon Hills commuter station was completed in 2022. In addition to station improvements, the Village incorportated streetscape improvements that created a shared vehicle/bike lane, and reduced the distance pedestrians must walk to cross the street.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79,984
Local $19,996

Last Updated 10.24.2022