CMAP-RTA Call for Projects press release, 9/16/19
September 17, 2019
September 17, 2019
Press Contacts
Melissa Silverberg (msilverberg@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8641)
Susan Massel (massels@rtachicago.org or 312-913-3256)
The annual joint call for projects for the CMAP Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program and RTA Community Planning program will run from Tuesday, September 17 to Thursday, October 17, 2019.
CHICAGO, September 16, 2019 – Tomorrow, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will open the annual joint Call for Projects for the Local Technical Assistance (LTA) and Community Planning programs, which offer support to local governments, non-profit agencies, the region’s transit service boards, and other organizations looking to plan and implement projects that will benefit the community and the region as a whole.
While CMAP and RTA have separate planning assistance programs, applicants are able to apply to both programs with a single application – which is being offered in a simple, online only form for the first time this year. Applications are available through Thursday, October 17, at http://cmap.is/2019application.
The LTA program was created in 2011, and the RTA Community Planning program is now in its 21st year of providing assistance to communities on transit-related planning projects. Collectively, both programs have supported more than 200 projects around the region, including comprehensive plans, sustainability plans, corridor plans, and more.
Both programs encourage applicants to undertake a balanced, coordinated, and integrated approach to land use and transportation planning benefitting local communities. So proposed projects can address regional priorities, applicants are encouraged to incorporate recommendations in CMAP’s ON TO 2050 comprehensive regional plan and the RTA’s Invest in Transit regional transit strategic plan, both of which were adopted in 2018.
“The Local Technical Assistance program is a great opportunity for communities to accomplish their goals while helping us advance the principles of ON TO 2050,” said CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman. “By working together, we can achieve a more inclusive and resilient region.”
“The RTA's Community Planning program provides technical assistance for transit-related projects that benefit regional riders by helping design communities that interconnect with and leverage their local transit assets and services,” said RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden. “I highly encourage municipalities across our region—along with transit agencies—to apply for assistance to improve access to public transportation and support local economic development.”
Both agencies have common priorities, including projects which:
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About CMAP
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is our region’s comprehensive planning organization. The agency and its partners developed and are now implementing ON TO 2050, a new long-range plan to help the seven counties and 284 communities of northeastern Illinois implement strategies that address transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues. See www.cmap.illinois.gov for more information.
About the RTA
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the transit agency charged with regional financial oversight, funding, and transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace bus and ADA paratransit. The system provides more than two million trips each weekday on the RTA region’s transit system in six counties with 7,200 transit route miles throughout Northeastern Illinois. The Agency also provides customer services including online and telephone travel planning assistance and travel training for seniors and people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.RTAchicago.org.
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