Planning Programs and Projects

The RTA is assisting Pace to prepare a corridor study examining South Halsted St. between the Pace/Metra Harvey Transportation Center and the Pace Chicago Heights Terminal. Goals of the study are to increase transportation resilience, encourage transit-oriented development (TOD), and improve pedestrian accessibility, sidewalks, crosswalks, access to developments, and connectivity. The study will include coordination with Harvey, South Holland, East Hazel Crest, Homewood, Glenwood, and Chicago Heights.  The study will also offer strategies to prepare the corridor for Pace Pulse service and will identify future high frequency service station locations.

The Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app is a two-year pilot project designed to support customer access to one click real-time trip planning throughout Pace's six-county service area for Pace's Fixed Route, On-Demand and Paratransit family of services. Pace partnered with "Transit App "a readily available transit information app to launch a two-year MaaS Pilot project. This award will fund the dial-a-ride and paratransit elements of the project, which primarily serve seniors and people with disabilities.

Phase IX of Pace's Regional Call Center takes reservations for dial a ride and demand response services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Call Center provides comprehensive mobility management services that improve the coordination and operation of transportation services and supports county-led coordination services funded by Section 5310. This is an existing Section 5310 funded project.

This project will construct new sidewalk on the east side of Wolf Road between the Prospect Heights Metra station and Willow Road. This will connect to a previous phase of the multi-use path on Wolf Road that goes north from Willow Road to Palatine Road. The project also includes the installation of pedestrian signals at Camp McDonald Road.

Individuals with disabilities are transported from their homes to Community Learning Centers and a variety of other activities including grocery shopping, medical appointments, volunteer opportunities and recreational activities. Service is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This award funds operating. This is an existing Section 5310 operating project.

Mobility Management portion of the Ray Graham Transportation program. Individuals with disabilities are transported from their homes to Community Learning Centers and a variety of other activities including grocery shopping, medical appointments, volunteer opportunities and recreational activities. Service is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This is an existing Section 5310 operating project.

The RTA assisted the Village of Richton Park to update to the Village’s 2004 transit-oriented development plan (TOD), encompassing the 1/2 mile area surrounding the Richton Park Metra station. The goals for the project were to update, consolidate, and refresh the 2004 plan with new recommendations, imagery, and graphics. The plan included a modernized strategy to offer more housing options and create a new public open space near the Metra station. The updated plan focuses on ways to retain existing character, celebrate the Village’s history, and create an appealing Town Center for the community.

The RTA is assisting the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways to prepare a corridor study focused on segments of Sauk Trail (from Cottage Grove to Torrence Avenue) and Torrence Avenue (from Sauk Trail to US 30). The goals of the study include developing strategies to: improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and access to transit services, attract investment and development, and reduce motor vehicle speeding and crashes.

This project will fund Phase I engineering necessary for sidewalk, crosswalk, and other intersection improvements along Sauk Trail and Torrence Avenue. Future improvements will fill sidewalk gaps and make ADA and safety related improvements at key intersections along Pace Bus Route 358.

This project will fund Phase I engineering needed for a side path that will connect the University Park Metra Station to the I-57 Industrial Corridor. This project will complete a multimodal connection between transit and a growing employment center, making it easier and more safe for workers to access jobs via transit.