Village of Worth Starting Work on Transit-Oriented Development Plan

July 27, 2015

RTA funding and support will set direction for Worth Metra Station area

 CHICAGO – The Village of Worth, located about 25 miles southwest of Chicago in Cook County, has announced plans to develop a  transit-oriented development plan to enhance the area surrounding its  Metra station, thanks in part to funding from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). The Plan will review the existing conditions of the Village’s transportation infrastructure, policies and operations and find ways to improve rider access to public transportation, while attracting residential and commercial development to the area. Funding for the $75,000 plan is made up of $40,000 in federal funds from the United Work Program, $20,000 from the RTA’s Community Planning program and $15,000 from the Village of Worth. The plan is expected to be completed in 2016.

"The RTA is pleased to contribute to the Village of Worth’s vision and assist in developing its TOD plan by providing funds and technical assistance,” said Leanne Redden, RTA Executive Director. “The Village’s effort to develop this plan illustrates the type of transit-oriented development work the RTA brings to riders and residents throughout the RTA region by partnering with local communities.”

The Village of Worth will collect data and public input to help determine what enhancements may be recommended for the community. Information will be collected through focus groups consisting of property and business owners, developers, and through a public workshop that will focus on the public’s opinion on the redevelopment potential for the area.

The Plan will ultimately make recommendations to guide the Village in establishing vibrant, transit-oriented development surrounding its Metra station. Recommendations may include multi-family residential development, commercial and retail development, and improvements to pedestrian, bicycle, public transit and vehicular circulation around the station.

This is one of many TOD planning and implementation projects funded through the RTA’s Community Planning Program. To date, the program has completed more than 100 TOD and implementation plans since the late 1990’s using a combination of RTA, local and federal funds, totaling nearly $10 million.

For more information about the RTA’s Community Planning Program, visit www.rtachicago.org/cp.

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About the RTA

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the only transit agency charged with regional financial oversight, funding, and transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace bus and paratransit.    The RTA region serves two million riders each weekday in six counties with 7,200 transit route miles throughout Northeastern Illinois.  The Agency also provides customer services including on-line and telephone travel planning assistance and travel training for seniors and people with disabilities.  For more information, visit www.RTAchicago.com.