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 | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| + | Park Forest Metra Electric District 211th Street Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Park Forest | $100,000 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project studied the area surrounding the 211th Street Station, focusing on transit oriented development and pedestrian and vehicular access improvements. The Villages of Park Forest, Olympia Fields, and Matteson participated in this study. This study was completed in September 2007.
Current Activities
Park Forest received a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (ILDCEO) for a Phase II study in summer of 2010 to explore development and financial incentives to realize recommendations in the RTA-funded study. A Steering Committee consisting of representatives from Pace, Metra, RTA and Park Forest, Olympia Fields and Matteson finalized the Phase II study in the Fall of 2012 and all three communities are now focusing on implementing the recommendations.
In June 2013 the RTA coordinated with ULI to convene a developer panel to provide guidance and advice to the Village as they work to attract TOD investment near the 211th Street Metra Station. A summary of this discussion can be found in the Study Documents. Additionally, the Village was chosen as part of the 2014 Community Planning Program to complete a pedestrian access plan around the 211th Street Metra Station, which was completed in 2015. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.13.2017 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | Skokie and Evanston: Skokie Swift Corridor Travel Market Analysis | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Evanston/Skokie | $150,000 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA, City of Evanston, and Village of Skokie will cooperate in a corridor level travel market analysis to explore the potential need for new intermediate stations on the CTA Skokie Swift (Yellow Line) and extension of the line north/and or south to serve existing and emgerging travel markets. The corridor is expected to span all or portions of Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove, Glenview, Northfield, Northbrook and portions of the far north side of Chicago. This study will complement a recently completed Location Feasiblity Study which looked at optimal locations for new stations and a north extension to the Old Orchard Road area within the village of Skokie based on physical feasibility. The travel market analysis will asess the ability of line extensions and new intermediate stations to efficiently and effectively serve current and future corridor travel needs; and their impact on existing transportation services.
Current Activities
In addition to identifying major travel patterns and markets that could support a line extension, the study also evaluated three potential new station locations in south Evanston at Dodge Avenue, Asbury Avenue and Ridge Avenue. In May 2011, Evanston began a feasibility study for an infill station on the Yellow Line. On January 25, 2011, a city advisory group identified Asbury as the recommended new stop location. The Evanston City Council accepted the advisory group's report but funding has not yet been identified for the station's construction.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.30.2017 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | Wood Dale Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Wood Dale | $91,700 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This study provided a station area plan that examined ways to integrate development plans and increase access to the station, taking into account the roadway re-alignment and rail grade separation feasibility studies that are currently underway. A market analysis was conducted to ascertain the commercial, residential, and retail markets in the station area.
Current Activities
The study was completed in June, 2006. The Village is currently exploring technical assistance opportunities to update their village-wide comprehensive plan. Once this is accomplished, rezoning the TOD area is the next step. Wood Dale Station, a mixed-use condo building, was built across from the station in 2006 and additional condos were built along Irving Park Road in the TOD area.
Wood Dale was chosen as part of the 2011 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects for assistance with developer recruitment and solicitation of opportunities in the TOD study area. A panel of development experts met in July 2012 to discuss potential redevelopment opportunities on City-owned land across from the Metra station. A summary of this discussion can be found below under Study Documents. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.15.2018 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | Cook-DuPage Corridor Study | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) | $1,618,000 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA led the Cook-DuPage Corridor study with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to examine a broad range of transportation system improvements to address the mobility needs in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Cook-DuPage Corridor covers a large portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is centrally located in the region. It extends approximately 30 miles from Cicero Avenue (IL50) in the city of Chicago/town of Cicero to the Kane/DuPage county line. Metra's Milwaukee District-West and Burlington Northern Santa-Fe commuter lines form the north and south boundaries respectively. The corridor spans all or portions of 51 municipalities in suburban Cook and DuPage counties and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, an area that includes over 1 million residents and 750,000 jobs. The Cook-DuPage Corridor is one of several corridors recommended for multi-modal analysis in the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (CATS, October 2003). The Plan includes a number of major transit and highway proposals to address congestion and improve mobility in the western suburbs of Cook and DuPage counties. These are: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the west end of the Eisenhower Expy. (I-290); Additional lanes on the East-West Tollway (I-88); Extension of the CTA Blue Line Congress branch to the western suburbs of DuPage County; Ogden Avenue transitway, from Navy Pier to North Riverside; Cermak Road bus rapid transit; DuPage County "J" bus rapid transit corridor, connecting Naperville, Oak Brook, O'Hare and Schaumburg; Inner Circumferential rail service (IHB/BRC) between O'Hare and Midway. Mobility problems and potential solutions will be examined in three study phases spanning 2003-2010: 1) Travel Market Analysis, 2) Options Feasiblity, and 3) System Analysis. Locally led study components will be undertaken to formulate corridor planning standards and community development and land use plans/policies. Current Activities
The Cook-DuPage Corridor Travel Market Analysis final report was published in December 2005. The second phase of study, Options Feasibility, was begun in early 2006 and completed in mid 2008. The RTA officially closed the Cook DuPage Corridor Study in April 2009. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.19.2021 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | La Grange Comprehensive Plan Update and BNSF Corridor Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | La Grange | $125,000 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
As part of the Village of La Grange's effort to revise their Comprehensive Plan, the Village performed a detailed analysis of transit-oriented development opportunities along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) corridor, which includes two Metra stations in the Village. This project was completed in May 2005.
Current Activities
The Village has seen major redevelopment and build-up of their downtown over the past 10-12 years with a mix of national chains and local businesses, along with condo and townhome development.
In late 2010, Metra completed a project to upgrade and replace the platforms at the Stone Avenue Metra station and the Village renovated the interior and exterior of the historic Stone Avenue Station in partnership with Metra, BNSF Railway and the West Suburban Mass Transit District. This renovation enhances the station structure, outbound platform shelter and the grounds as an outdoor public gathering space. Additionally, the Village reconstructed the Brainard Avenue commuter parking lot with a permeable green paver integrated drainage system. In 2012, the RTA provided assistance to the Village through a collaborative effort with CMAP, ICC, BNSF, Metra and ATA to complete a pedestrian access improvement study at the Stone Avenue Station. The full Access Improvements report can be found below in the Study Documents section. In 2013 the RTA applied for CMAQ funding on behalf of the Village for these access improvements. CMAP approved the RTA's CMAQ submittal and the construction of these improvements will began in 2016. In August 2017 at 254 unit apartment building opened near the intersection of Ogden Avenue and LaGrange Road, a five minute walk to the LaGrange Road Metra station. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 12.28.2017 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | Mundelein Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Mundelein | $78,568 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The plan emphasized an appropriate mix of land uses to revitalize a currently under utilized area adjacent to the commuter rail station. Revitalizing the area with the addition of appropriate access improvements will effectively connect the station area with the Village's downtown. This project was completed in January 2005. Current Activities
Phase I of the nine-building Cardinal Square development, an 84 unit building located directly east of the Metra Station, was completed and occupied in 2008. Phase II, a 65 unit building, was completed in 2015. As of October 2022, construction of Phase III (180 units) is ongoing and nearing completion. The Village, in partnership with Weston Solutions, broke ground on a new mixed-use biulding in April of 2013. This new building is part of a larger redevelopment of the Village Center and will include a new village hall and new retail/office space. Construction is completed and the Village held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 6, 2014. As part of this project, the Village also constructed a new public right-of-way, Plaza Circle, to provide better access to the Metra station and Village Hall. In October 2022, the Village approved a redevelopment plan for a 165 unit development adjacent to the new Village Hall on Plaza Circle. To implement these projects, which were central recommendations of the 2005 TOD plan, the Village purchased ten acres of land previously occupied by an industrial building. The tenant of the building was relocated to another Village-owned property immediately south of the Metra commuter parking lot. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 11.11.2022 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | New Lenox Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | New Lenox | $121,629 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project created a concept plan for a mixed-use development located at the proposed new Metra commuter station on the SouthWest Line extension. The 240- acre site located at Laraway and Cedar Roads is currently vacant. The village's goal is to create a transit-supportive development.
Current Activities
This study (completed in 2005) addresses a proposed station at Laraway Road along the Southwest Service expansion. This expansion project, which included 11 miles of new track, was completed in January 2006, including the Laraway Road station (opened October 9, 2006). As part of the 2013 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects, the RTA worked with ULI to convene a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice to the Village as they try to attract development to the 240-acre vacant area near the Laraway Road Metra Station. This discussion took place on October 25, 2013 and the Summary Report can be found below in the Study Documents. The Village is currently using the recommendations from this discussion to redevelop the focus area.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 07.01.2019 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | Oak Park Intermodal Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Oak Park | $241,518 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This study examined ways to increase usage of the station, increase access to the station by alternative modes of transportation, enhance transfers between modes at the station, and integrate with development plans.
Current Activities
This project was completed in May 2005. 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 communities are currently completing Comprehensive Plans that include recommendations for priority redevelopment parcels in each community's TOD area.
Many development projects are currently underway in the Village's TOD areas. Construction was completed on a 21-story mixed-use building at Lake Street and Forest Avenue, called Vantage Oak Park, in summer of 2016 with the first units occupied in July. The development includes 270 rental apartments, 25,000SF of ground-level retail and an integrated parking garage with 288 residential spaces and 300 public spaces. Another mixed-use residential, retail and parking project, called Oak Park Station, will open in late 2017 on the Village-owned Westgate site between Lake Street and North Boulevard just east of Harlem Avenue. Oak Park Station features a 20-story tower and five-story building that include 270 rental apartments, 28,000 square feet of retail and a five-story parking garage with 428 spaces for residential, retail, and public use. Additionally, the southeast corner of South Boulevard and Harlem Avenue is under consideration for a mixed-use structure consisting of approximately 263 rental apartments, 10,000 square feet of retail and a 400 space parking garage. This project would include streetscape improvements along Maple Avenue to connect the project to the north. Construction began in summer of 2017. These new developments will encourage increased ridership on all available transit services in the downtown area by adding a significant number of residential units within walking distance of CTA, Metra and Pace service. The Village is also planning an extension of the Marion Street streetscape improvements west on South Boulevard to Harlem Avenue to enhance pedestrian and bicycle mobility and access to surrounding transit service. These improvements would include wider sidewalks, shorter intersection crosswalk distances improved lighting and public seating. The project is partially funded through the Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP). Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 08.28.2017 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | Pace Market Feasibility Study for North Central Shuttle Service | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Pace Suburban Bus | $75,417 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This study examined the market feasibility of a comprehensive employer-based shuttle to serve employment centers located along Metra's North Central commuter line, which serves 11 Metra stations. A survey was developed and administered to employers in the corridor to determine demand for potential shuttle service.
Current Activities
This project was completed in March 2005. An initial set of routes began operations in November of 2006. These routes are the Townline Road Shuttle Bug (Route #580), Lincolnshire Shuttle Bug (Route #581) and the Discover/Baxter Shuttle Bug (Route #582). Pace is continuously exploring new opportunities to provide service to additional employers in the area.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.28.2013 |
||||||||||||||||
| + | Riverside Central Business District Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Riverside | $75,000 |
|
Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project addressed redevelopment potential in the Village's historic downtown. The study also addressed improvements to the railscape.
Current Activities
The study was completed in June, 2006 and the Village worked with CMAP in 2013 to update the study to reflect the current economy. The RTA supported their efforts and continues to provide assistance as the Village implements the updated downtown plan.
In 2018 the Village was awarded funding from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to make needed pedestrian safety improvements for the area in and around the downtown Riverside Metra station. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.30.2018 |
||||||||||||||||