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.
| Year | Project Title | Program | Project Type | Project Partner Sort descending | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||||
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| + | North Chicago Station Area Planning Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | North Chicago | $74,820 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project created a master plan and implementation strategy for the redevelopment of the area surrounding the North Chicago Metra rail station. The redevelopment would include high-density housing, retail and commercial services. The project will also analyze the inter-modal connections between Pace and Metra.
Current Activities
The final plan was adopted by the City Council in January 2008. Currently, the City has been exploring ways to acquire some or all of the excess property in the TOD area owned by Abbott Laboratories, which would allow them to pursue TOD opportunities recommended in the plan.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.25.2013 |
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| + | CTA Bus Priority Zones Plan - Halsted Street | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) | $300,000 |
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In Progress | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
The RTA is assisting the CTA with developing a strategy for bus route enhancements that will address slow zones along CTA Bus Route #8 - Halsted Street. The strategies are being developed in coordination with other transportation analyses along the corridors. The improvements will work to speed bus operations in persistent congested areas and accommodate expected growth in the North Branch area with improved transit service. Current Activities
The team has identified nine slow zones along CTA Route 8, Halsted and is now prioritizing future improvements based on feedback from the Federal Transit Administration as well as roadway jurisdictional agencies. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 04.26.2024 |
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| + | CTA Bus Corridor Slow Zone Improvement Initiatives | Community Planning | Corridor Planning | Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) | $318,595 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project developed recommendations to improve the speed and reliability of service on two CTA bus corridors, a 7.9-mile section of Chicago Avenue and a 10-mile section of 79th Street. Data analysis was conducted to identify slow zones along both corridors and identify solutions to improve the speed of service in those zones. The recommendations include concept designs, and an implementation plan for the CTA and partner agencies.
Current Activities
Final reports for both corridors were completed in the summer of 2018 and are linked below in Study Documents. The City has budgeted funds to make a number of the recommended improvements along the corridors. The first intersection to be reconfigured in 2019 was Chicago/Milwaukee/Ogden, with additional Chicago Ave. corridor work completed in 2019. The City was also awarded Invest in Cook funding from the Cook County Department of transportation to begin building some of the improvements recommended for the 79th Street corridor. In October 2019 Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced the City of Chicago will devote $20 million in new funding for the Bus Priority Zone Program designed to improve bus travel times and make service more reliable on seven core routes.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.03.2020 |
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| + | Milwaukee Ave. Developer Panel | Community Planning | Developer Panel | Chicago 45th Ward | $3,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA convened a Developer Discussion Panel in Chicago's 45th Ward to gather guidance and advice from development experts. The objective was to attract development to vacant sites and encourage infill development. The Developer Discussion Panelist helped the Ward Alderman and the City determine goals and needs in order to best utilize vacant land along North Milwaukee Avenue near the Jefferson Park Transportation Center. Current Activities
The panel of development experts met in June 2021 and the report can be found under "Related Reports". Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.07.2022 |
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| + | Elburn TOD Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Elburn | $124,909 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The RTA assisted the Village with developing a TOD plan for downtown Elburn and the areas near the Elburn Metra station. Plan objectives included identifying ways to unify and connect the downtown business district with the Metra station and TOD development south of the station and identifying development opportunities that support a vibrant area serving the entire village while incorporating the Metra station as a focal point of new development. Current Activities
Work on this project began in 2021 with an existing conditions analysis and a series of community engagement events and surveys. After developing a set of recommendations and implementation steps, the project team presented the draft plan at the third public workshop in April 2022. The Elburn Village Board adopted the plan as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan at their July 18 meeting after receiving a unanimous recommendation for adoption from the Planning Commission. The adopted plan is available under "Related Reports." Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.22.2023 |
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| + | Metra Station Evaluation | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Metra | $65,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
This project included an examination of nine stations across the region in an effort to diagnosis the reasons for low ridership. The project will include an examination of service levels, current and forecasted ridership, service options, market area characteristics, and the potential for transit-oriented development. A cost benefit analysis of each station's ongoing operations was included to provide an overall set of recommendations for the future of each station. Current Activities
Work on this project began in the fall of 2020 and was completed in the fall of 2021 with the delivery of Station Summaries and Deep Dive Reports for all nine stations. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 11.19.2023 |
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| + | Inner and Outer Circumferential Rail Corridors Feasibility Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Metra | $188,721 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project determined the most viable markets for commuter rail service along the inner (IHB/BRC) and outer (EJE) circumferential rail corridors for the proposed Metra STAR line, a line that would connect suburb to suburb instead of travel in and out of downtown Chicago. The segments identified will be advanced in the planning process through more detailed analysis in the future.
Current Activities
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.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.08.2017 |
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| + | Lake County 2020 Transportation Plan: Transit Component | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Lake County | $0 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project evaluated existing transportation conditions in Lake County, developed travel demand forecasts and developed a program of improvement scenarios for transit and highways. The plan builds upon the Lake County Transportation Improvement Project, a joint effort by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), that produced alternatives consisting of major road and transit improvements.
Current Activities
The plan was completed in June 2002. The Lake County Board adopted the Plan in 2002 and the RTA has been monitoring progress on implementation activities as they occur.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.28.2013 |
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| + | Lake County Inter/Intra County Paratransit Transportation Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Lake County | $96,611 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
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
Last Updated 02.28.2013 |
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| + | Will County Coordinated Paratransit Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Will County | $99,995 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This study created a coordinated paratransit plan for the County. This included an inventory of existing paratransit services, a gap analysis based on the inventory, and identified strategies to begin the development of an action plan to implement a pilot program of a coordinated paratransit initiative.
Current Activities
The final plan was adopted by the Will County Board of Directors in November 2010 and the RTA worked with the County to implement the recommendations, including forming a Coordinated Paratransit Committee and identifying funding opportunities for a Mobility Manager.
In November 2011, the RTA Board approved funding through the Job Access Reverse Commute/New Freedom (JARC/NF) program for the Will County Mobility Management Program . This program will provide transportation and mobility management services for persons with disabilities, the elderly and low-income individuals residing in eastern Will County townships. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 12.15.2016 |
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