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
+ Des Plaines Cumberland Transit-Oriented Development Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Des Plaines $124,702
  • rta
  • fed
Completed

Project Details

Description

In September 2009, the City and consultant team worked with a steering committee including neighborhood residents and business owners to develop a plan for the area around the Cumberland Metra Station. The plan identifies streetscape, pedestrian, and roadway opportunities to improve access and circulation near the station. The final report adopted by the board is comprised of three different volumes: concept plan, design guidelines, and appendix. Implementation of the plan will strongly rely on market forces and actions from the City. The City Council approved the plan as an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan in January 2011.

Current Activities

The plan was adopted by the City Council on January 3, 2011. In June 2015, a development team submitted a proposal for the redevelopment of the Littelfuse site along Northwest Highway. The residential project will consist of 127 townhouses and a five-story apartment building with 270 units, located a half-mile from the Cumberland Metra Station. Construction began in late 2016 with townhome units being available for occupancy as soon as 2017.

The 397 unit Buckingham Townhomes and Apartments opened in 2018 to residents along Northwest Highway, within walking distance to the Cumberland station.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $83550.00
Federal $41152.00

Last Updated 07.23.2021

+ DuPage County Transit Plan Update Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan DuPage County $118,533
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project, sponsored by DuPage County, updated the DuPage County 2002 Transit Plan by developing a phased implementation of projects identified in the plan over a 20 year horizon.
Current Activities
The final plan is complete and was approved by the Public Transit Committee of the DuPage County Board in November 2011. The RTA, partnering with DuPage County, DuPage Mayors and Mangers, and Service Boards, launched a marketing campaign to promote transit in the County. Funded primarily through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant, the campaign intends to inform residents and employees in the county of their transit options and encourage them to ride public transportation. The campaign began in October 2014 and will continue to the end of 2015 and utilizes tactics such as billboards, online advertisements, marketing collateral (door hangers), mall displays, newspaper advertisement and community engagement.

CMAQ approved the RTA's submittal to fund 80% of the cost for local access to transit capital improvements for the Village of Glen Ellyn, as recommended in the DuPage County Transit Plan Update. The RTA has approved the local match as part of the 2014 budget. Installation of these improvements will begin in 2015.

In late 2013 the City of Aurora received CMAQ approval for the Station Blvd Extension to IL 59 Commuter Parking Lot project. This project funded Engineering and Construction for a new driveway to the IL 59 Commuter parking lot along the Metra BNSF Line, allowing for Park-n-Ride opportunities, as recommended in the DuPage County Transit Plan Update CP project. For more information please visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/strategic-investment/cmaq.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $50000.00
Local $68533.00

Last Updated 08.08.2017

+ East Dundee: Dundee Crossing Transit Center Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan East Dundee $99,770
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description

This study investigated a location for a proposed transit center within the Village, which would serve as a Pace bus hub and Park-N-Ride facility. At the time of the study it was determined that a comprehensive transit center located within Dundee Crossing would not be viable due low ridership demand coupled with the location of adjunct transit centers in Elgin and Prairie Stone. The study also included a preliminary assessment for adding Pace bus service on Route 72 from the Village to Prairie Stone business park. The study also recommended designing the strategic parcels identified in the study to be transit-friendly to achieve economic development objectives.

Current Activities

The final report was completed in November 2010. Per a recommendation in the plan, the Village updated their zoning ordinance to allow more transit-supportive uses. Recently, two phases of an IHDA-approved senior living development have been completed at the Northwest corner of Routes 72 & 25: River Haven Place (68 units) and Gardiner Place (80 units). Currently the Village is looking for ways to improve access to the area Pace Bus routes. The RTA is providing assistance as needed.

The Village is in the process of preparing Dundee Crossing for development and investment using these strategies: 1) Created a mixed-use district master plan. 2) Created a Tax Increment Financing District. 2) Revised its Planned Unit Development Ordinance. 4) Initiated engineering for streetscape improvements.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79816.00
Local $19954.00

Last Updated 05.08.2023

+ Glenwood Station Area Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Glenwood $91,750
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description
This study created a transit-oriented development plan for the potential transit station on the proposed Southeast Service Line that would be located within the Village. The plan provides guidance for the location of the station, surrounding land uses, and transportation improvements. The plan also outlines an implementation plan and design guidelines to be used by the Village and potential developers.
Current Activities
The Glenwood Village Board unanimously adopted the Village of Glenwood Station Area Plan in July 2010. The Board, with recommendations from the Plan Commission, preferred the northern station location while leaving the southern station location as an alternative. The plan was a culmination of a yearlong study that involved citizens, business owners, elected official, Village Staff and transit agencies.

Metra completed the Alternatives Analysis for the Southeast Service in 2010 and in 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. In 2015 Metra suspended further development of the line due to a lack of funding.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $73400.00
Local $18350.00

Last Updated 06.08.2017

+ Joliet Intermodal Transportation Center Feasibility Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Joliet $125,000
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
This study examined the feasibility of creating a new intermodal transportation center in the City Center, adjacent to the existing Union Station. The study also provided recommendations to create intermodal connectivity, improve public transportation and passenger efficiencies and identify potential opportunities for adaptive reuse of the existing Union Station.
Current Activities
The Joliet Gateway Center transportation campus is a $43.4 million project that includes the construction of new commuter parking and kiss-and-ride facilities (completed in 2013), construction of a new bus facility, construction of a new train station, and the relocation of train passenger platforms.  The project is funded through a $32 million grant from the State of Illinois, $7.5 million in funding from the City of Joliet, $2.2 million from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and $1.7 million from PACE.  The Gateway Center project demonstrates the continued partnership of the State, City and County, the RTA, Metra, PACE, Amtrak, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad, and Union Pacific Railroad.

The new Rock Island train passenger platform and temporary Heritage Corridor platform both opened in 2014, in addition to the New Street Pedestrian tunnel. The UP and BNSF are working on the rail viaduct including bridge reconstruction, rail realignment, interlocker rebuild and new signals. The City's contractors will also be coordinating work on the new tunnels to coincide with the work that will be done by the railroads to take advantage of pre-scheduled train service outages. The new train station including new platforms opened in April 2018.

A new 10 story ($195 Million) County Courthouse at southwest corner of Ottawa and Jefferson Streets in downtown Joliet is under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2020.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $100000.00
Local $25000.00

Last Updated 10.30.2018

+ Kane County LRP Transit Component Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Kane County $119,738
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project, sponsored by Kane County, addressed the transit component of the Kane County Long Range integrated Transportation and Land Use Comprehensive Plan. It also served as an update to the Kane County Transit Opportunity Assessment Study which was completed in October 2002.
Current Activities
The Transit Plan was adopted on June 14, 2011 by the Kane County Board.

The CMAP LTA project, titled Implementation of the Kane County 2040 Long Range Transit Plan- Transit-Supportive Corridors: Existing Conditions and Implementation Tools, was completed in 2015. Additionally, the Kane County Department of Transportation is in the design phase for the CMAQ grant to install bus shelters on the northern portion of Randall Road. Construction will likely occur in 2018.

In late 2013 Kane County DOT received CMAQ approval for the Randall Road Transit Infrastructure Improvements project. This project funds Phase 2 Engineering and Construction for bus shelters, waiting pads, crosswalk markings, pedestrian signals, ADA ramps and sidewalks along Pace Route 801, as recommended in the South Elgin Transit Improvement Plan and Kane County 2040 Long Range Transit Plan CP projects.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $80000.00
Local $39738.00

Last Updated 10.30.2018

+ Manhattan Village Center Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Manhattan $125,018
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description
This study created a transit-oriented development plan for the area adjacent to the Manhattan Metra station. The plan provides guidance for the location of civic, residential, office, commercial, and recreational spaces. Particular attention is paid at enhancing the core downtown while developing a 100-acre parcel adjacent to the station. The plan makes recommendations for the surrounding land uses, transportation improvements, and proposed crossings while outlining an implementation plan and design guidelines to be used by the Village and potential developers. The Manhattan Village Board unanimously adopted the Village Center Master Plan in September 2010 and this plan was awarded an IL-APA Award in 2011.
Current Activities
The RTA provided the Village with continued support through Community Planning Program with two projects: Updating the Village's TOD zoning regulations and a ULI Developer Discussion Panel. The Village of Manhattan unanimously approved the Downtown Zoning District in June 2012. As a follow-up, the RTA worked with ULI to convene panel of development experts to discuss the future of development in the TOD area in April 2013. A summary of this discussion can be found below in Study Documents.

The Village is currently focusing on improving the attractiveness of public space in the TOD area. The first project completed was a new public parking lot on Wabash between North Street and US Route 52 and the Village will soon begin preparing a layout for the area behind Village Hall to include additional public parking, landscaping and a gathering space for community events as recommended during the Developer Panel Discussion. The RTA will monitor these projects and offer assistance as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $100000.00
Local $25018.00

Last Updated 09.15.2017

+ Pace Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan Community Planning Corridor Planning Southwest Conference of Mayors $197,155
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project was sponsored by the Southwest Conference of Mayors and resulted in a plan to improve traffic movement and transit options along Harlem Avenue from 63rd Street to I-80, making Harlem Avenue a more vibrant and active corridor in the southwest suburbs.

Current Activities

The Southwest Conference of Mayors hosted a Developers Summit on September 2013 to discuss the recommendations of the Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan with potential developers.

In late 2013 Pace received CMAQ funding for Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements along and / or adjacent to Pace Routes along the Harlem Avenue Corridor. This project funds concrete pads and sidewalks, implementing recommendations from the Harlem Avenue Corridor study.

Pace advanced construction for the Toyota Park Transit Center with a ground breaking ceremony that took place on November 12, 2013. Meanwhile, new Bus on Shoulder (BoS) service began October 24, 2016 between the Pace Toyota Park Transit Center & Park-n-Ride in Bridgeview and the East Loop and North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Pace Express buses are allowed to ride on the shoulder along I-55 when traffic is congested.

Pace initiated the Tinley Park Call-n-Ride in August 2014. Pace continues to advance transit signal priority and designated route restructuring throughout the corridor. A new Pete's Fresh Market open edin Spring 2015 in Bridgeview, and a mixed-use residential and retail building was constructed in 2015 in Palos Heights. Additionally, the Village of Chicago Ridge has created a TIF District for the Yellow Freight site, which has significant frontage on Harlem Avenue; the Village of Tinley Park is pursuing development of a Master Plan for the Mental Health Center site, near 183rd and Harlem; and a Harlem Avenue Overlay District Rezoning Plan is in the process of being adopted by the Palos Heights City Council.

The Village of Worth, a corridor town, completed a "Planning Priorities Report" through the CMAP LTA Program as well as TOD Plan for the area surrounding the Worth Metra Station through the 2015 RTA Community Planning program.

The City of Palos Heights received Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding, via the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program, for access to transit capital improvements, as recommended in the Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan. Installation of these improvements were completed in summer of 2016.

In September of 2020 demolition commenced of a long-vacant trucking terminal at 10301 S. Harlem Ave. in Chicago Ridge. The 75-acre property originally owned by Yellow Freight property lies within a 105-acre TIF zone stretching along Harlem, the largest tract of land available for development in the Village.

In 2021 the Village of Worth was awarded Invest in Cook funding for a 0.8-mile long new sidewalk and multi-use path north of the Cal-Sag Channel between Harlem Avenue and Metra’s SouthWest Service Station in Palos Heights. The project will help connect Pace bus routes, retail corridors, recreational facilities, and community destinations as well as tie the Cal-Sag Trail to commuter rail service, which were recommendations of the plan.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $157724.00
Local $39431.00

Last Updated 09.28.2021

+ Pace I-355 Express Bus Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Pace Suburban Bus $265,984
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description
This study developed a plan for a fully integrated sustainable corridor through the development of an express bus service on the I-355 corridor between New Lenox and Lake-Cook Road. It examined ways of improving transit as well as transit support facilities within the entire corridor.
Current Activities
The recommendations presented in this final report are currently being applied to the Pace I-90 Express Bus Network and the Pace Cook-DuPage Transit Investment Plan.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $212787.00
Local $53197.00

Last Updated 06.13.2017

+ Prairie Grove Town Center and TOD Development Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Prairie Grove $118,418
  • rta
  • loc
Completed

Project Details

Description
This study will create a transit-oriented development plan for the Village that encompasses an approximate ½ mile radius of the location of the future station on the spur of Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line.
Current Activities
The Prairie Grove Village Board adopted the Town Center plan on June 15, 2010. This station is part of the proposed UP-NW Extension plans. According to the 2016 State of the System Report, Metra is pursuing funding for this project from the federal New Starts program. The UP-NW Extension Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Impact Statement phases have been completed. For more information please visit: https://metrarail.com/sites/default/files/assets/about-metra/studies/up-nw_aa_final_report_october2007.pdf.

The Village was also included in the 2011 Community Planning Program of projects to update their TOD area zoning regulations in anticipation of new development. These regulations are 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 $94734.00
Local $23684.00

Last Updated 06.15.2018