Pace North Avenue Corridor Study
This project funded technical assistance to Pace to conduct a corridor study of North Avenue between Harlem Avenue and York Road. This study aligned with the goals and objectives of the Pace Vision 20/20 plan as well as addressed regional concerns expressed in the CMAP GOTO 2040 plan. Recommendations include providing improved access to current Pace and CTA bus services, providing improved connections for people walking and biking, transportation and land-used tactics to improve the corridor for future Pace Pulse service, and some redevelopment concepts for two sites with redevelopment opportunity along the corridor.
This study was completed in June 2017 and Pace staff has begun to determine which of the recommendations to consider first for implementation.
In 2019 the Village of Melrose Park acquired and incorporated into it's jurisdiction the former Maywood Race Track, as recommended in the plan. In April 2019, reports confirmed that the 42-acre site will be developed into a three-building, 623,000-square-foot industrial and retail project, that will be called the Chariot Logistics Center.
In June 2019 the Chicago Plan Commission approved the redevelopment of the former Sears site at Harlem Ave, as recommended by the plan. Development plans include a five-story complex with 161 residential units, a grocery store, health club, and 462 parking spaces. At nearby 7141 W. Wabansia Avenue, a new four-story development with 152 units and 177 parking spaces is also planned.
In 2021 the Village of Melrose Park was awarded $566,000 from Cook County as part of the 2021 Invest in Cook grant program awards. The funds will be used to make roadway improvements at the intersection of IL-64 (North Avenue) and George Street. Correcting the offset intersection will improve safety for motorists and other users while also improving traffic circulation along commercial properties. Construction will involve installation of new traffic signals, relocating a shopping center entrance drive, as well as modifying sidewalks, ADA ramps, and a bike path. The 2017 Pace North Avenue Corridor Plan highlighted this intersection as needing modifications to better serve Pace riders, which this project will accomplish. The City of Northlake was also awarded funding for right-of-way for roadway improvements to Railroad Avenue, a major trucking corridor within the City. This project will bring Railroad Avenue up to modern design standards for safety and efficiency and improve the movement of trucks in the area. Improvements include adding a southbound right turn lane to improve capacity at the intersection of IL 64 (North Avenue) and Railroad Avenue, upgrading pedestrian accommodations to current ADA standards, and providing new signalized pedestrian crossings. The new signalized pedestrian crossing will improve access to the Pace 309 route.
RTA staff will continue to monitor for implementation activity of this study.
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Local | $40,000 |
| Federal | $160,000 |