Jeffery Corridor Bus Rapid Transit

General Information

In July 2010, the CTA, in coordination with the City of Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) received $11 million to implement Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the Jeffery Boulevard corridor. This project, in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will provide improvements in the corridor to enhance service on the current #14 Jeffery Express. This project previously went through an extensive planning process, including public outreach in 2008.

Quick reference

What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

BRT is a term applied to a variety of bus service designs in order to provide faster, more efficient, and more reliable service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing street and traffic infrastructure, for instance, dedicated bus lanes and transit signal priority (TSP) systems. Typically high-capacity, uniquely- identified buses are used, and quite often passenger boarding is sped-up by offering fare payment off-board. Bus stops are usually improved to contain rail station-like amenities, for instance digital customer information, seating and enhanced shelters.

What are the goals of Jeffery Corridor BRT?

• Provide a high quality bus travel experience
• Improve reliability and travel times
• Introduce a number of BRT customer amenities
• Pilot/test multiple high value transit investments
• Establish unique identity to match improvements
   

What is the study area?

The pilot implementation project extends the length of the Jeffery bus corridor (from 67th Street – 103rd Street) with dedicated lanes along Jeffery Boulevard between 83rd Street and 67th Street.

How is this project funded?

The CTA and City of Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) were awarded a FTA Bus and Bus Facilities (5309) Livability Initiative Grant.

Progress and Estimated Schedule

*Opportunities for public comments available in these project phases.

Project Features

Dedicated Bus Lanes – The area between 67th and 83rd Streets will be striped and signed for dedicated bus lanes for northbound use in the morning rush (7-9 AM) and southbound use during the evening rush hours (4-6 PM). This is consistent with current parking restrictions and no new parking restrictions are proposed.

High Quality BRT Stations - Standardized ½ mile BRT station spacing will provide new amenities and speed customer travel times. All Route #15 Jeffery Local bus stops will remain at current locations.

• BRT stations are proposed to include: lighted bus shelter with Bus Tracker LED display, BRT branded information kiosk, ADA accessible sidewalk ramps, bike rack, bench or leaning rail, trash receptacle, and landscape planter.
• Commercial Showcase Station at 71st Street is proposed to include unique sidewalk and crosswalk surfaces, large shelter for expanded weather protection, and farecard vending machine.
• Residential Showcase Station at 100th/Paxton is proposed to include bumpouts and unique sidewalk and crosswalk surfaces.

Transit Signal Priority (TSP) – Traffic signals between 73rd Street and 84th Street will be upgraded to provide an early or extended green light so the bus can get through the intersection more quickly.

Queue Jumps – A queue jump will be provided on northbound Jeffery Boulevard at Anthony Avenue. A queue jump (or bypass lane) allows the bus to advance through an intersection ahead of general traffic with a unique traffic signal.

Vehicle Enhancements – Buses will have unique head signs, lights and/or graphics for branding and identity purposes. They may also be equipped with Bus Tracker information displayed on new LED screens so customers can anticipate transfer and arrival times at key destinations. 

Public Meeting Information

The Chicago Transit Authority invites the public to attend an open house to learn about and give feedback on implementation plans for a BRT line on the Jeffery Corridor between the South Side and Downtown. The service will operate on Jeffery Boulevard from 103rd Street and Stony Island Avenue to Jefferson Street and Washington Boulevard west of the Loop.

The CTA, in coordination with the City of Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), received a grant to develop the Jeffery Corridor BRT with the goals of improving service reliability and travel times for customers served by the #14 Jeffery Express route. The project, in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will provide a high-quality transit link to Downtown in an area that lacks easy rail access.

Meeting times & locations

Wednesday, June 8, 2011
4pm to 6pm
Chicago Public Library: Avalon Branch*
8148 S. Stony Island, Chicago, IL
(Directions via Google)

Thursday, June 9, 2011
6pm to 8pm
CTA Headquarters*
567 W. Lake Street, Chicago, IL
(Directions via Google)

*Both facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. 

Tell us what you think

Comments can be made through Thursday, June 23, 2011 by sending e-mail to jefferybrt@transitchicago.com.