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 | |||||||||
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| + | Fox River Grove Downtown Redevelopment Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Fox River Grove | $72,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The Fox River Grove Downtown Redevelopment Plan developed a market-based concept plan for the Metra station area. The plan specifically utilized the proximity of the Fox River to the downtown and proposed new commuter rail facilities as a key to redevelopment. Given that the downtown is bisected by a major arterial and the commuter rail line, that are adjacent and parallel to each other, a pedestrian underpass under U.S. Route 14 was recommended to help achieve greater connectivity between the north and south sides of the downtown. The plan was completed in December 2003.
Current Activities
Expanded station facilities opened in summer of 2013 including a second (western) waiting area in December 2013 at Northwest Highway and Lincoln Ave. The Village is exploring development options for the former Grove Residences site at River Road and Route 14.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.15.2018 |
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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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| + | Maywood Station Area Planning Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Maywood | $88,368 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The Maywood station area planning project developed a plan for revitalizing the downtown core and improving pedestrian and vehicular access in the station area.
The station area plan was developed in concert with a new Village comprehensive plan.
Current Activities
The study was completed in January 2004. The Village was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects for assistance with developer recruitment and soliciation of opportunities in the TOD study area. A panel of development experts met in December 2012 to discuss redevelopment opportunities in the TOD area. A Summary of this discussion can be found in the Study Documents section.
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. In 2019 the Housing Authority of Cook County is nearing completion on nine rental units in three multi-family apartment buildings reserved for disabled low-income renters, located on 5th Avenue south of the Study Area. In July 2019 the Village Board approved the development of a mixed-use residential building with Interfaith Housing to be constructed at 820 S. 5th Ave. The development includes 72 units of affordable housing over 4,500 square feet of ground floor retail space. In 2016 the Maywood Fine Arts Association completed the Stairway of the Stars Dance Studio in downtown Maywood on 5th Avenue just north of Lake Street. The studio is used for dance classes, fitness activities and special events. The Village also received a $1.2 million CMAQ grant to construct a new station facility at the Maywood Metra station, which opened in 2017. Matching funds came from the Village's Fifth Avenue TIF District. The Village was chosen again to complete an update of the TOD plan in 2019. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.28.2019 |
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| + | Woodstock Transit-Oriented Development Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Woodstock | $67,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Woodstock Transit-Oriented Development Study project focused on integrating transportation and mobility improvements into a station area plan that included the redevelopment of the vacant Die Cast lot north of the Woodstock Metra station.
Current Activities
The study was completed in November 2003. The 12-acre Die-Cast site (located just east and adjacent to the UP tracks) was partially redeveloped with a 10-unit townhome community called Woodstock Station by The Hummel Group in 2008. Six acres of the original planning study site remains undeveloped. In 2018 the renovation of the former Elks Lodge at Cass and Throop Street into a retail, café and bar and the conversion of the BMO Harris Bank Building on the Square to a Brew Pub and Café are examples of transit supportive infill development in downtown Woodstock.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.15.2018 |
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| + | Hazel Crest 170th Street Station Transit-Oriented Development Planning Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Hazel Crest | $55,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The Village of Hazel Crest 170th Street Station Transit-Oriented Development Planning Study resulted in a concept plan, design criteria and strategies for redevelopment of the station area. The study also recommended improved pedestrian and vehicular access, shared parking for commuters and business patrons, and physical improvements to buildings and infrastructure in the study area.
Current Activities
The study was completed in October, 2002 however, the Village received funding in 2016 from SSMMA to complete and update of the TOD Plan to take into account changes in market conditions as well as availability of affordable housing.
In 2012, the Village was part of a Homes for a Changing Region report that explored regional and state strategies to address imbalances in northeastern Illinois' housing stock. Also involved were the Villages of Lansing, Olympia Fields and Park Forest with the RTA providing support as needed. This report recommends that Hazel Crest focus on rehabilitating existing housing stock and prioritize infill development around the Metra station area and along key corridors by revising zoning regulations to allow for higher densities.Click here for more information.
In 2017 Metra began a $3 million renovation of the Hazel Crest Metra station. The Village hopes the new station will be a part of the overall redevelopment of the east part of the community. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.08.2017 |
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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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| + | Joliet Arsenal Area Transportation Plan | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Joliet Arsenal Development Authority | $190,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Joliet Arsenal Area Transportation Plan identifies the transportation services that will be required to support existing and future development on an around the former Joliet Arsenal and provides guidance to implementing agencies regarding priorities and needs in southwestern Will county. The 23,000 acre former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant is being re-developed for non-military use including the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, a county landfill and two major industrial parks.
Current Activities
This project was completed in April 2004. The creation of a Southwest TMA was recommended within this study, which was evaluated in a subsequent study by the RTA found here
In July of 2011, an RFP was released and proposals sought for the Southwest Will TMA Implementation and Travel Demand Study by the Joliet Arsenal Development Study and the City of Joliet. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.08.2017 |
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| + | McHenry County Transportation Plan: Transit Component | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | McHenry County | $0 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
The RTA participated in the transit component of the McHenry County comprehensive multi-modal transportation and land use plan for the county. The transit component identified existing transit service, explored transit-related land use, service innovations, and assessed fixed route service alternatives.
Current Activities
This project was completed in December 2004. McHenry County advanced the general recommendations contained in this plan and funded a more detailed, transit-focused study in 2005. The subsequent plan provides a roadmap to implementation of short, mid and long-term transit improvements for the County to follow. The County has in place an Implementation Task Force that guides the County's efforts related to transit.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.05.2016 |
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| + | Morton Grove Commuter Station Location Analysis | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Morton Grove | $99,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Village of Morton Grove Commuter Station Location Analysis prepared redevelopment scenarios for the Lehigh/Ferris area that included recommendations for high density residential, improvements to commuter rail station facilities and the expansion of commuter parking. The study also determined that relocating the existing commuter station and realigning Lehigh Avenue was not feasible. Realigning Lincoln Avenue at Ferris to cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle is recommended and the preferred alternative.
Current Activities
In 2010, the Village received an ITEP grant for $446,600 to help defray the cost of a realignment of Lincoln Avenue to mitigate traffic and safety issues at the at-grade crossing, a recommendation from the study. The Village is still searching for funding to complete this project. The Woodlands (320 condominiums and 782
In summer of 2017 the Village Board approved "Lexington Homes", a residential development on a vacant property in the TOD district, two blocks north of the Metra station. Located at Capulina and Ferris Avenues, the project consists of 36 townhomes, built on formerly vacant land that is partially owned by the Village. In January 2020 the Village released an RFP seeking proposals for the redevelopment of two municipally-owned sites at 8500 & 8550 Lehigh Avenue, which include a total of approximately 1.5 acres of land area. These sites are located just south of the intersection of Lehigh and Lincoln Avenues and are directly across the street from the Morton Grove Metra Commuter Rail Station. These sites are within the Lehigh Ferris Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.24.2020 |
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| + | Regional Transit Coordination Plan (RTCP) Public Involvement and Focus Groups | Mobility Management | Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) | $0 |
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Completed | ||||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation. Current Activities
In 2004, the RTA conducted additional user-centered design research to better understand how people use transit products, services and environments throughout the region, and to guide specific product improvements. This qualitative field research was conducted at various interagency locations throughout the region, on trips with actual riders, and with individual users of transit products. With this depth of knowledge about customer needs, the RTA has a reliable basis for making key improvements to products under development, and for developing regional passenger information design standards. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.18.2023 |
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