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RTA Funded Planning Study Moves Forward in Anticipation of the Star Line |
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Station area plan aims to improve public transit
Chicago -- The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) announced today the launch of a transit supportive planning effort for the Village of Plainfield. The development of a long range plan for two potential STAR Line station areas was approved as part of the RTA’s 2007 Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP). The Village of Plainfield will develop a public transportation system plan by evaluating the current level of service, usage, and access to Metra, Pace and bicycle routes for the area’s residents and businesses. The Village received an RTAP grant in the amount of $125,000 to fund the study.
“The RTAP program is just one of the many tools the RTA is using to advance its Moving Beyond Congestion strategic plan,” commented Leanne Redden, Senior Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Regional Programs. “
The Village of Plainfield is in a unique position to be able to plan pro-actively for the anticipated arrival of transit service to two potential transit stations in the Village as part of the STAR Line. The Village has the opportunity to implement transit-supportive policies and design guidelines for the areas adjacent to the downtown station and a second station area near Interstate-55 at Renwick Road. While Plainfield is not currently served by transit, the long-range effort to establish the STAR Line allows Plainfield to shape development in and around the future station areas – much of which land is currently undeveloped – in advance of the start of transit service to create and promote ridership and establish the active, pedestrian-focused environment that is the foundation of a successful transit node. Village officials believe it is critical to implement transit-supportive land uses and policies to maximize the ridership and enhance the benefits of the potential transit stations.
Once completed, the plan will provide recommendations for improvements to the public transportation system serving the Village, which currently includes two Metra commuter rail lines, with one station located in the Village and one station adjacent to the Village; nine public bus routes; and a bicycle network. As part of the study, an inter-modal transportation station area plan will be prepared for the proposed Suburban Transit Access Route (STAR) Line station that is proposed to be located on Busse Road, immediately north of I-90. This portion of the study will provide recommendations for transit-supportive development within close proximity of the station and access for all modes of transportation (cars, bikes, pedestrians and transit) to and within the station area.
“This study is important to the future of our community, its residents and to our overall quality of life,” commented Jonathan Proulx, a long range planner for the Village of Plainfield. She added, “With a vision in place, we can move forward making informed decisions to help improve mobility within our community and build connections to the regional transit system in northeastern Illinois.”
1. Plainfield residents will have convenient access to affordable transportation alternatives that connect residents with employment and shopping opportunities and vital services, while providing Plainfield employers with access to a skilled workforce throughout the Chicagoland region.
A. The Village of Plainfield will develop its STAR Line station site near downtown Plainfield with sufficient parking and adequate access locations to help implement the proposed STAR Line service.
B. The Village of Plainfield will bring together key transportation providers, such as Metra, Pace, Plainfield Township and Kendall County, to promote integration of services to maximize connections and minimize duplication to provide the greatest overall service for the funds that are available.
2. Plainfield’s downtown core will be a vibrant, active shopping, dining and residential district with an attractive mix of uses developed in a pedestrian-focused manner.
A. The Village of Plainfield will provide sufficient housing opportunities in close proximity to the downtown and transit nodes.
B. The Village of Plainfield will offer unique shopping and dining opportunities in an active, pedestrian-focused environment to provide the amenities and economic development foundation for a sustainable community.
3. Plainfield will increase its economic strength and competitiveness by supporting the growth and expansion of a strong, multi-modal transportation network to support businesses, residents and industry in and around Plainfield.
Station Locations
The subject project includes two potential transit station areas. The near-downtown station site is located north of Lockport Street, east of Van Dyke Road and Wood Farm Road, south of 143rd Street, and west of both the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Main Line and Illinois River Line Brach. The potential station site is located within an undeveloped/agricultural parcel of approximately 58 acres, which was purchased by the Village of Plainfield in late 2006. The study area for this station would expand approximately one-half mile around the station site and may be adjusted to include undeveloped property in close proximity to this radius.
The second potential station site would be located east of U.S. Route 30, south of Renwick Road, near the U.S. Route 30/Interstate-55 interchange. This site is also undeveloped/agricultural. New vehicular access would need to be provided from Renwick Road and U.S. Route 30. This site is under private ownership and is the subject of a current development proposal for a portion of the site that would not include the future station site. The limits of this station’s study area would be confined to the 120-acre subject site.
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