Assistance Available to Help Communities Enhance Access to Transit

April 17, 2018

Applications Being Accepted for RTA Programs to Advance Small Scale Capital Projects

CHICAGO – The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is issuing a Call for Projects for its Access to Transit program. The program funds small-scale capital projects that improve access to the regional transit system for pedestrians and bicyclists, including improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, bus and rail warming shelters and bike parking at transit stations. A call for projects is held every other year with the current application period beginning today, April 16, and closing on Friday, August 31.

“The RTA’s ongoing efforts to support transit-oriented planning at the local level has shown that there is a strong need across our region to provide better access to transit service for all users of the system,” said Executive Director Leanne Redden. “The Access to Transit program presents an opportunity for communities to address those needs, with the RTA providing both financial and technical assistance for applicants accepted to the program as an incentive.”

In addition to promoting transit ridership, building better bike and pedestrian infrastructure provides a number of benefits for local communities:

• Neighborhoods that promote public health through active transportation and safer pedestrian environments
• Reduced vehicle congestion and emissions
• Lower demand for commuter parking
• Support for transit-oriented development by fostering active, walkable streets

The Access to Transit program is open to municipalities and counties that have completed, or are in the process of completing, a planning or implementation project through either the RTA’s Community Planning program or the CMAP’s LTA Program. Also eligible are communities that have participated in corridor studies as a partner, as well as municipalities participating in the RTA’s Interagency Signage program.

The program leverages RTA and local funds with Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)funding to help implement recommendations from planning studies completed through the RTA’s Community Planning program or CMAP’S Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. Through three previous rounds of the program, it has funded projects in 22 communities throughout the region for a total investment of roughly $10 million in Federal, RTA and local funds. Detailed information on these projects is available on the RTA data website, RTAMS.org.

Applicants must have CTA, Metra or Pace service in their community and be located within the RTA’s six-county service area (Cook, DuPage, Lake, McHenry, Kane, Will).

For more information on the program and how to apply, please visit the RTA website.