Transit Accessibility Improvements in Evanston Highlighted in RTA Story Map

For more than a decade, the RTA has partnered with the City of Evanston on a number of projects to improve transit accessibility through the agency’s Community Planning and Access to Transit programs, which provide technical assistance and capital improvement funding to interested communities within the RTA service area. These efforts are highlighted in a new interactive story map: Main Station Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).

The Main Station near the intersections of Main Street and Chicago Avenue in Evanston is a popular transfer destination for the Metra UP-North and the CTA Purple lines.

Collaboration between Evanston and the RTA began in 2007 with a Multi-Modal Master Transportation Plan that included strategies for pedestrians, transit users, and motorists to integrate with the existing Evanston Bike Plan. The agency has also partnered with Evanston to develop the Main Street Transit-Oriented Development Plan, the Evanston TOD Parking Regulations Update, and several implementation efforts – including millions of dollars in private and public investment – that have made the local transportation more accessible for all users.

"The transit facilities at Main Street are an incredible asset for Evanston and the ability to plan for their maintenance and enhancement through the Main Street TOD Plan with the RTA will lead to additional value for our community," said Johanna Leonard, Community Development Director, City of Evanston.The RTA has supported more than 200 projects with over 100 local governments in Northeastern Illinois through its Community Planning program, which enables communities to support transit ridership and improve quality of life.

Read more about the Evanston planning studies, explore maps of the implementation projects, and see photos of the improvements in the story map.