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
+ South Chicago Heights Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan South Chicago Heights $99,655
  • loc
  • fed
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 $19931.00
Federal $79724.00

Last Updated 06.13.2017

+ Berwyn Transit-Oriented Master Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Berwyn $95,391
  • rta
  • fed
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 $19078.00
Federal $76313.00

Last Updated 01.19.2023

+ Chicago--Reconnecting Neighborhoods Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan - Transit Improvement Plan Chicago $223,446
  • rta
  • loc
  • fed
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project analyzed transit options and opportunities in three neighborhoods in the City of Chicago where Chicago Housing Authority properties and adjacent city and privately-owned properties are being transformed into mixed-income communities. The sites include the Oakland community on the near south side, the Lake Street corridor on the near west side, and the Cabrini-Green redevelopment area on the near north side.

Current Activities

Near North Study Area
The City of Chicago renovated the 70-year old Clark/Division Red Line CTA station by rebuilding the original 1940s mezzanine and platform and built a new mezzanine at LaSalle Street and Division, providing improved access to the station from the Near North study area. The new 8000-foot mezzanine entrance at LaSalle is equipped with two elevators, one between the entrance and the mezzanine and another connecting the mezzanine to the platform.

The City is also allocating CMAQ funding to construct pedestrian access improvements at the North and Clybourn Red Line station, improving transit access in the Near North study area. A new Target store at Larabee and Division opened in 2013 on 3.6 acres of former CHA land. Also, the New City mixed-use development opened in 2015 on 8.5 acres of land at Clybourn and Halsted and includes 360,000 square feet of shops, 199 apartments and 40,000 square feet of medical office space. Several multi-family developments have been constructed in the study area especially along Division and Orleans. In 2018 the long-standing Wayman AME Church, which served Cabrini Green residents for many years, was sold for more residential redevelopment.

Near West Study Area
The new Damen Green Line station on Lake Street is under construction. The Chicago Bulls have opened new practice facilities as well as restaurants, bars, a team store and event space in the parking lot east of the United Center as an economic development driver for the area around the stadium. The CTA used $23M in TIF funds to reconstruct the Medical District Blue Line Station, serving the Near West study area. The station house was reconstructed, an elevator was added and ramps to the platform were rebuilt. All three entrances--at Ogden Avenue, Damen Avenue and Paulina Street--are now accessible. Other renovations include lighting upgrades, additional security cameras, CTA bus and train tracker displays and repairs to the station platform canopy.
In 2017 new multifamily developments began taking shape in the study area, including the construction of affordable senior housing on the SE corner of Paulina and Washington, as well as the announcement by the Illinois Housing Development Authority of a federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits award to construct the Warren Apartments, a mixed-income, 75 unit apartment building at Madison and Ashland.

Mid-South Study Area
In 2013, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the Bronzeville Alliance completed a land use plan intended to drive economic development along three corridors (43rd, 47th and 51st Streets) and their corresponding CTA Green Line Stations utilizing recommendations found within the Reconnecting Neighborhoods plan.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $51243.00
Local $53446.00
Federal $118757.00

Last Updated 11.08.2021

+ Crete Downtown and Balmoral Park Station Area Plans Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Crete $113,850
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  • loc
  • fed
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project developed station area plans for the proposed Downtown Crete and Balmoral Park stations along the proposed Metra Southeast service commuter rail line.
Current Activities
As of the end of 2010, Metra has completed the Alternatives Analysis for the proposed Southeast Service Line. 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.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $2770.00
Local $20000.00
Federal $91080.00

Last Updated 06.30.2016

+ Elgin National Street Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Elgin $100,000
  • loc
  • fed
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 $20000.00
Federal $80000.00

Last Updated 07.18.2023

+ Montgomery Park and Ride Facility Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Montgomery $112,496
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description
The project developed a plan to guide the location of a park and ride and potential a station area site for the proposed Metra Burlington Northern Santa Fe extension. The resulting plan provided recommendations to link the proposed station area with the existing downtown, residential areas and employment centers as well as transit-oriented development options. Initial phases of the plan call for the development of a Park-N-Ride that would service the Aurora Metra Station.
Current Activities
The Village Board adopted the Plan in September 2009. Two potential sites were identified for a future Park-N-Ride: one site north of Route 30 east-adjacent to railroad tracks and one site south of Route 30 west-adjacent to the railraod tracks. Pace and the RTA will continue to monitor the market to implement a Park-N-Ride at one of the two locations.

This plan was awarded an IL-APA Award in 2010.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $80000.00
Local $32496.00

Last Updated 06.15.2018

+ Pace Service Planning Tool Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Pace Suburban Bus $1,052,570
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description

Through this project, Pace created a new ridership forecasting application that utilizes customized market research and mode choice models. Using Pace's South Cook County, Southwest Cook County, and Will County Restructuring Initiatives as the market area for this project, the resulting data and models were used to identify opportunities for service improvements. This forecasting application will be used region-wide in each of Pace's service areas.

Current Activities

The Service Planning Tool is one of various methods Pace is currently using to analyze service upgrades and improvements.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $250000.00
Local $802570.00

Last Updated 11.19.2023

+ 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 $0.00

Last Updated 01.18.2023

+ South Suburban Commuter Rail Corridor Phase I & II Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA) $318,111
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description

Three studies were conducted to study the feasibility, land use, and financing aspects of a new, high-quality and high-capacity transit service in southeast Cook County to provide access to downtown Chicago job opportunities and to complement local economic development efforts.

In 2000 Metra completed the South Suburban Commuter Rail Feasibility Study which examines the potential for implementing Metra commuter rail service on a new radial line to serve suburbs in southeastern Cook and northeastern Will Counties. The proposed route focuses on utilizing the jointly owned tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and CSX Transportation (the railroad subsidiary of the multi-modal CSX Corporation) between Beecher and Dolton, with several options to connect with other lines to reach downtown Chicago. This Phase I Feasibility Study is the first step in a longer process to ascertain not only the potential demand for this proposed new service, but also how it might reach eventual implementation. The Study was a collaborative effort, sponsored by the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA), who provided the necessary funding. The Study is organized into four major tasks or milestones, all aimed at providing a methodological and objective means of formulating Study recommendations. The four major sections are: Existing Conditions, Potential Operations, Future Plans, and Capital Improvements.

Phase I - Land Use and Local Financing Study Study completed in 2005 with sponsorship by Village of South Holland and South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association (SSMMA)

The Phase I Study was conducted to explore key land use and financial planning considerations related to a potential commuter rail connection between Chicago's downtown Loop district and various communities southeast of the City. A primary goal of the study was to ensure that residents, businesses and organizations would have a say in how communities could support and plan for commuter rail. This included discussion about station locations, development potential in the area around stations, generation of required local matching funds for station design and construction.

Phase II - Land Use and Local Financing Study Study completed in 2007 with sponsorship by South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association (SSMMA)

The Phase II Study, examines in more detail several recommendations in the Local Finance chapter of the Phase I report. It also presents information on how the communities can begin to initiate formal intergovernmental agreements to govern creation, management and oversight of a joint funding pool to help pay for the land acquisition and construction of stations and parking facilities along Metra's proposed SouthEast Service commuter rail line.

Current Activities

This entry is a compilation of three separate studies. All projects are completed.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $76811.00
Local $241300.00

Last Updated 07.18.2023

+ Winfield Town Center Revitalization Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Winfield $104,688
  • rta
  • loc
  • fed
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project developed a comprehensive town center revitalization plan for the Winfield station area located on the Union Pacific West line.
Current Activities
In August 2010, a newly-constructed pedestrian underpass opened to facilitate pedestrian access to both sides of the Metra tracks. Additionally, the Village is currently exploring funding opportunities for a shared parking deck in their TOD area to free up various parcels of land currently used as surface lots, a key recommendation in this study.

In 2019 the Village approved the construction of Winfield Station, the development planned for the former Winfield Fuel & Material Co. site immediately south of the train tracks along Winfield Road. The plans calls for a five-story building that will offer 162 units, including 15 efficiency units, 90 one-bedroom units and 58 two-bedroom units. Construction is anticipated to take place in 2020 with completion in 2021.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $938.00
Local $20000.00
Federal $83750.00

Last Updated 06.03.2020