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
+ Greater Roseland (Chicago) Transit-Linked Community Development Project Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Developing Communities Project (DCP) $150,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This is a research and strategic planning project to identify the transit-linked opportunities for community development in the Greater Roseland community of Roseland, Pullman, West Pullman, Riverdale and Morgan Park, focusing on the potential of the proposed CTA Red Line South Extension. The project will assess the impact mass transit can have on housing, the economy and work force development in the Greater Roseland area.
Current Activities
The Final Plan was adopted by the Developing Communities Project Board of Directors in November 2009. The Alternatives Analysis for the CTA Red Line South extension was completed by the CTA in 2009 and the Environmental Impact Statement is set to be published in 2015. Three options are under evaluation for the Locally Preferred Alternative along the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks including an option within the existing freight right-of-way (ROW Option), an East Option, and a West Option. The CTA is also evaluating a rail alternative along Halsted Street, a bus rapid transit (BRT) alternative along Michigan Avenue, and the No Build Alternative. For more information please visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/redeis/
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $30,000
Federal $120,000

Last Updated 03.24.2015

+ Huntley Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Huntley $105,513
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project developed a station area plan for a potential station to be located within the Village of Huntley on the potential Milwaukee District West Line service extension to Marengo. The feasibility of two sites were examined. The concept plan recommends a station location, addresses land uses of surrounding properties, and identifies parking and access options.
Current Activities
The Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines final report was adopted by the Village Board in June 2011. The RTA is monitoring progress and will provide implementation support as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $21,103
Federal $84,410

Last Updated 07.01.2019

+ Kane County Randall Road Pace Route 529 Plan Community Planning Corridor Planning Kane County $125,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project examined ways to coordinate land uses, improve access and signage, and optimize transit operations along Randall Road in Kane County.

Current Activities

This project was completed in December 2010. In spring of 2011, Pace was awarded an FTA grant for $800,000 to install bus shelters and sidewalk connectors along the Randall Road Route #529 study area. All shelters under this grant have been installed at 28 stops along the route, along with necessary sidewalk connectors in certain locations as recommended in the plan.

In late 2013 Pace received CMAQ approval for Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements along various Pace Routes. This project funds concrete pads and sidewalks, implementing recommendations from the Kane County Randall Road Pace Route 529 Plan.

Additionally, Pace was awarded in December 2011 a grant from the RTA's Innovative Coordination & Enhancement (ICE) program for the installation of bus pads along Randall Road as part of this project.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $25,000
Federal $100,000

Last Updated 07.28.2021

+ Lake County Inter/Intra County Paratransit Transportation Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Lake County $96,611
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project will review and assess alternative organizational and funding structures that can support transportation services for the transportation disadvantaged; the elderly, the low income and the disabled of Lake County.
Current Activities
The County is currently working with planning partners to investigate paratransit opportunities. They recently submitted a CMAQ application to explore bike and pedestrian connections in the SE portion of the County. Additionally, the County recently applied for CMAQ funds (FY2012-2016) to coordinate existing Pace-supported Dial-a-Ride services and demand-response services provided by other human service agencies in the study area. This project also aims to achieve one of the identified goals of the Lake County Strategic Plan, which seeks to support coordination and provide technical assistance to townships in the County with implementing recommendations identified in this study.

In November 2011, the RTA Board approved funding through the Job Access Reverse Commute/New Freedom (JARC/NF) program for continued service providing dial-a-ride transportation in four townships within Lake County to persons with disabilities, the elderly and low-income individuals.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $19,322
Federal $77,289

Last Updated 02.28.2013

+ Lake Forest: Forest Green Transit Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Lake Forest $100,000
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
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
Source Amount
RTA $80,000
Local $20,000

Last Updated 05.31.2017

+ Marengo Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Marengo $99,740
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related 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.

The station area plan includes transit-oriented development recommendations as well as transit facility recommendations and implementation strategies.

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
Source Amount
Local $19,948
Federal $79,792

Last Updated 07.18.2023

+ Mount Prospect Public Transportation System Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan - Transit Improvement Plan Mount Prospect $124,795
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project addressed two elements of public transportation within the Village. The first project component reviewed the current level of local public transportation service and identified connectivity, usage, and service area improvements to destinations within the Village and the region. The second component developed a station area plan for a proposed station within the Village on the proposed Metra STAR Line.

Current Activities

The Final Plan was adopted by the Village Board in October 2009. This project was completed, and a final report published in June 2005.

After completing an Alternatives Analysis for the STAR Line in 2012, Metra chose not to continue to pursue the project due to a variety of factors.

In fall of 2015 the Village was awarded CMAQ funding for covered bicycle parking at the Mount Prospect Metra station through the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $24,959
Federal $99,836

Last Updated 11.08.2021

+ Plainfield STAR Line Transit-Oriented Development District Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Plainfield $123,123
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
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
Source Amount
Local $24,625
Federal $98,498

Last Updated 10.30.2018

+ South Chicago Heights Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan South Chicago Heights $99,655
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

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
Source Amount
Local $19,931
Federal $79,724

Last Updated 06.13.2017

+ Berwyn Transit-Oriented Master Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Berwyn $95,391
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project produced a transit-oriented development plan for the three Berwyn Metra station areas along the Metra BNSF rail corridor between Harlem Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue: LaVergne, Berwyn and Harlem Ave.

Current Activities

The final plan was adopted by the City Council in November 2008. In the same year the City constructed a shared parking deck on Grove Avenue for their downtown using a combination of local and federal funds. They are also currently in talks with developers to develop key pieces of property within their TOD area.

In late November 2011, it was announced that the West Cook County Housing Collaborative received a nearly $3 million grant for its transit-oriented development strategy to update comprehensive plans and to create a sustainable transit-oriented development fund for the communities of Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maywood and Oak Park. The RTA is provided in-kind assistance to the West Cook Housing Collaborative as a member of the steering committee that discussed strategies to attract TOD investment in each community. The city of Berwyn has secured $11 million in grant funding to complete infrastructure improvements in the Depot District. These improvements will include improved pedestrian accommodations, new lighting, green infrastructure such as permeable pavers, new lighting, bike lanes and bike racks. Final design and then bidding the work will continue through the end of 2017.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $19,078
Federal $76,313

Last Updated 01.19.2023