Planning Programs and Projects

The CTA was awarded Phase II engineering and construction funding for the Halsted and 79th Street Bus Turnaround project. The goals of the project are to improve the bus turnaround located at 79th Street and Halsted Street with ADA compliance at the platform island, and to improve access to and from the site. The project will construct all improvements required to provide a continuously accessible path from the existing sidewalk to the island platform, including ADA ramps at the island platforms and curb ramps at the bus driveway. Additional improvements for the visually impaired are also included. The bus turnaround directly serves the #8 Halsted bus, the #8A South Halsted bus, and is adjacent to the 79th Street bus route. 

The Village of Ford Heights was awarded Phase II engineering and construction funding for the design and construction of 7,000 linear feet of sidewalk and 8 ADA compliant intersection curb ramps, detectable warnings, and concrete landing pads at bus stops. The road segments to be improved include: Woodlawn Avenue between Lincoln Highway and 12th Street, 12th Street between Woodlawn Avenue and Ellis Avenue, and Ellis Avenue between 12th Street and Lincoln Highway. These improvements will serve residents with accessing Pace bus route 357. This project previously received Phase I engineering funding from the Access to Transit program.

Harvard was awarded funding to complete a Phase II engineering and construction for pedestrian access improvements along IL Rte. 173 between Marengo Road and US Route 14. This project will construct new sidewalks, ADA improvements, and pedestrian access over Mokeler Creek to better connect residents to the Harvard Metra Station and  Pace bus route 808. This project previously received Phase I engineering funding from the Access to Transit program.

The RTA awarded $55,000 to the City of Harvey for Phase I engineering needed to build future improvements that include an on street bike lane along portions of 155th Street between Broadway Ave and Lexington Ave, as well as three crosswalks along the corridor in the City of Harvey. The project envisioned will resurface the roadway as a prerequisite to installing the bike lane and making intersection improvements that will directly support access to Pace bus route 364 as well as to the Harvey Transportation Center and the Harvey Metra Electric station.

The RTA awarded $55,000 to the Village of Hazel Crest for Phase I engineering tasks needed for future improvements that include a side path connector, raised crosswalks, and pedestrian scaled lighting at key intersections in the Village. The side path connector would widen the existing sidewalk from 5 feet to 8 feet on 170th Street from Park Avenue to Dixie Highway. Additional improvements would include pedestrian lighting and raised crosswalks at key intersections. The widened side path would serve pedestrians accessing the Hazel Crest Metra Station that serves the Metra Electric line as well as Pace riders using Route 356 which crosses the study area along Wood Street.

The Village of Itasca was awarded funding to complete Phase II engineering and construction of ADA compliant pedestrian crossings at the Walnut Street railroad crossing, just north of IL-19 (Irving Park Road), and pedestrian activated flashing beacon signals at two crossings along IL-19, one at S. Maple Street and the other at S. Rush Street. New wayfinding signage will also be included in the improvements. The proposed improvements will enhance the pedestrian network and experience to increase the attractiveness and safety of walking and biking to the Itasca Metra station on the MD-W line.

Metra was awarded funding to complete Phase II engineering and construction for the installation of a new climate controlled shelter at the Edgebrook Metra Station platform. The project will also include increased bike parking, enhanced bike and pedestrian pathways, sidewalk connectors, ADA compliant curb ramps, and new wayfinding signage. New wayfinding signage will guide people to CTA bus route connections and the nearby North Branch Trail.  The Edgebrook station serves the Metra MD-N line.

The RTA awarded $55,000 to the Village of Niles for Phase I engineering needed for future improvements that include a side path along Dempster Street between Cumberland Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue in the Village of Niles. Proposed improvements include a 10 foot side path, ADA ramp improvements at signalized intersections, and other associated tasks that include potential utility relocations and fence improvements. The proposed side path would connect existing Pace transit stops on Dempster, two of which are being upgraded to Pace Dempster Pulse Line stations (Cumberland, Milwaukee). One would remain as a stop for the Pace Bus Route 250 (Dempster @ Grand), which currently lacks sufficient pedestrian access.

The RTA awarded $55,000 to the City of Waukegan for Phase I engineering activities needed for various improvements to ADA compliance, pedestrian access, and wayfinding signage at Waukegan's downtown transit hub. Proposed improvements would include a mid-block flashing beacon pedestrian crosswalk on Sheridan, painted crosswalks at Washington and Spring, and realigned curbs and ramps at intersections to improve pedestrian safety. Also proposed are safety improvements for motorists in the area, including left turn pavement markings and 3-way stop signs and stop bars that indicate motorists to yield to pedestrians. The proposed improvements would serve pedestrians accessing the Waukegan Metra station on the Union Pacific North line as well as Pace bus route 565, 568, 571, and 572. 

The RTA will support the City of Aurora's efforts to explore the feasibility of expanding bus services along key routes and to key destinations within the City. This initiative seeks to bolster ridership without placing additional financial strain on the existing regional system, while working towards the City's primary goal to reduce the number of individuals traveling alone to key destinations on a daily basis.