RTA, Pace Kick off Central Harlem Avenue Corridor Study

March 2, 2018

Corridor plan will lay foundation for Pulse Harlem Line implementation

CHICAGO – Pace, in partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), kicked off the Central Harlem Avenue Corridor Study with a steering committee meeting on January 18, 2018, at the Berwyn Public Library. Representatives from local governments, transit agencies, and other regional entities discussed the corridor’s strengths and weaknesses, railroad grade-crossings, transit connections, pedestrian safety and the diversity of land uses throughout the study area.

Harlem Avenue is a planned corridor for Pulse, Pace’s Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) program. Pulse is designed to provide a network of fast, frequent and reliable bus service using the latest technology and streamlined route design. The study will identify corridor attributes and challenges, which will help the Pulse Harlem Line team develop the project’s scope and timeline.

“The Harlem Avenue Corridor plan will create a viable, active corridor that allows for better access to transit and improvements that will support innovative service like Pulse,” says Leanne Redden, Executive Director of the RTA.

The study will explore stop locations for the future the Pulse Harlem Line, identify opportunities for redevelopment, recommend transit-supportive land uses and suggest transit accessibility improvements. Funding for the $200,000 project will come from the RTA’s Community Planning program ($160,000) and Pace ($40,000).

“Research and planning are crucial elements of designing quality service that effectively and efficiently meets the needs of our customers,” said Pace Chairman Richard Kwasneski. “The recommendations that come from this study will guide us as we design the Pulse Harlem Line and other services in this region.” 

The plan is expected to take approximately a year to complete, with public engagement occurring at multiple points throughout the process. The first community meetings to solicit public feedback on the project will be held in the spring.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Susan Massel,  Director, Marketing and Communications, RTA
312-913-3256 ­ massels@RTAchicago.org

Maggie Daly Skogsbakken, Media Relations Manager, Pace 
(847) 228-4222 ­ Maggie.Daly@PaceBus.com