Planning Programs and Projects

This project funds Phase I engineering necessary for future sidewalk network improvements that will provide access from residential neighborhoods south of St. Charles Road to Pace Bus Route 313. Engineering will be completed for sidewalk gaps along Lee Boulevard, Morris Avenue, Rohde Avenue, Spencer Avenue, and Jerele Boulevard.

This project will construct bicycle facilities along 124th Street to better facilitate safe access between bus transit services along Halsted Street to the Ashland Metra station at Ashland Avenue. Additional improvements include completing a sidewalk gap on 124th Street between Laflin and Bishop Streets and pedestrian improvements to the intersection of 124th Street and Laflin Street.

The RTA provided assistance to the Village in soliciting guidance and advice from development experts through a half-day discussion panel. This panel discussed the development climate and potential strategies to prepare for and attract development to specific parcels near the Cary Metra station. The Final Report is attached.

The RTA convened a half-day Developer Discussion Panel in July 2022 to solicit guidance and advice from development experts regarding a collection of Town-owned parcels near the Cicero Metra station on the UP-West line. This panel discussed the development climate and potential strategies to prepare for, and attract development to, these parcels.

This project will convert all of the bus stops in the City of Evanston from flagged to posted stops and include the installation of ADA compliant bus stop pads. In addition, this project will install shelters, pedestrian signals, truncated domes, and new and replaced sidewalk to further enhance the new bus stops. Shelters are proposed for stops with 20 average daily boardings.

This project will construct bicycle and pedestrian improvements along two corridors in the community: an east-west bicycle route and a north-south pedestrian route that connect the Village’s two Metra stations and three Pace Bus routes to its three industrial areas. Improvements to the bike network will include the installation of eight-foot multi-use paths, on road sharrows, on road dedicated bike lanes, and installation of new signage and path widening along existing paths. The proposed sidewalk improvements on 25th Avenue will provide safe connections from the downtown train stations to the southern industrial area without forcing pedestrians to navigate gaps in the sidewalk network. Employees taking the Pace 303 bus will also benefit from these improvements.

The RTA will assist the Village of La Grange to update their current transit-oriented development plan adopted in 2005. By updating this plan, the Village seeks to address current construction market dynamics,  changes in the retail industry, and changing commuting habits to poise the community to take advantage of future redevelopment opportunities. In particular, the Village seeks to invite redevelopment on the West End, which has seen no new development since 2005.  The proposed study area encompasses the Central Business District of La Grange, the West End Business District, and other properties within less than one quarter mile from each Metra Station in La Grange. 

This project will complete Phase I engineering necessary for future pedestrian access improvements along US Rte. 14, IL Route. 173, Marengo Road, and Ayer Street. Engineering will be completed for new sidewalks, ADA improvements, crosswalks, and a Pace Bus shelter. These improvements will also better connect residents to the Harvard Metra Station and the Pace Bus Route 808.

This project will construct a new off-road shared-use path on the north side of Central Road from the existing Paul Douglas Forest Preserve path system to the Pace Park-n-Ride at Barrington Road. The path will be 10 feet wide located generally along the right of way on the north side of Central Road. Destination and distance signing along with traffic controls for intersection and driveway crossings are included. Signal upgrades and modifications at the Central Road / Huntington Boulevard intersection will be made for bicycle and pedestrian users.

The RTA is assisting the Village of Homewood to prepare a transit-oriented development plan for downtown Homewood and areas surrounding the Homewood Metra and Amtrak station. Leveraging the ongoing station renovations, the goals of the planning study include identifying strategies to attract investment and development, retaining existing character/historic preservation, and increasing access to transit services in the downtown. With a locally-driven planning vision, the Village hopes to continue to foster Downtown population growth, identify new uses for vacant buildings, increase transit ridership, and increase the number of people visiting and spending time in Downtown Homewood.