Western and Ashland Corridors
Bus Rapid Transit
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is performing an Alternatives Analysis planning study for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on both Western and Ashland Avenues. The Alternatives Analysis study is a means of exploring a variety of potential Bus Rapid Transit features and service options, including potential positive and negative impacts, within the project study area. The study area extends approximately 21 miles in length, from about Howard Street (on the north) to 95th Street (on the south), and from Western Avenue (on the west) to Ashland Avenue (on the east).
Background
In July 2010, the CTA applied to the FTA for a Livability Alternatives Analysis grant to plan for BRT investments in the Western and Ashland Corridors, and CTA was awarded $1.6 million in grant money in December 2010. The analysis will study potential service options along Western and Ashland Avenues, with high-investment BRT features potentially focused in the most congested areas of the corridors where the majority of customers travel. These corridors currently demonstrate high bus ridership, connect most CTA rail lines, cross multiple Metra rail lines, link regional destinations, offer many potential redevelopment sites, and are home to many zero-car households.
Study Area Map
Download (.pdf)
Q&A
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. Bus stops are usually improved to contain rail station-like amenities (for instance, digital customer information, additional seating and enhanced shelters). This study will help the communities within the Western and Ashland Corridors decide and plan for which of these service designs are the most appropriate for their neighborhood and across the Chicago area.
What is an Alternatives Analysis Process?
The Alternatives Analysis process is a FTA-required, yet locally-managed, planning process that is used to advance transit projects across the country. The purpose of the Alternative Analysis is to examine a range of potential transit options. In the Alternatives Analysis, the project's purpose and need is finalized, alternatives to address the purpose and need are developed and evaluated, and comprehensive and on-going public involvement is initiated. The identified transit options will be screened and evaluated during the Alternatives Analysis to narrow the field of options that will best meet project's purpose and need and all options will be presented in public meetings.
The end result of an Alternative Analysis is the determination of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). From that point on, CTA’s intent is to apply for additional federal funding to advance into Preliminary Engineering and eventually project construction.
What are the goals of Western and Ashland Corridors BRT?
- Strengthen the non-downtown, north-south connections to CTA and Metra’s rail network, improving regional, neighborhood and job connectivity.
- Provide a high quality bus travel experience, by improving reliability and travel times
- Support economic development initiatives that continue to build Chicago as a transit-friendly, livable and sustainable city for families, communities and businesses.
- Introduce a number of BRT customer amenities.
- Establish a unique identity to match improvements.
Estimated Project Schedule
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Start of Alternatives Analysis Project Technical Work and Screening process
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Winter 2012
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First Public Open House on Western and Ashland Corridors BRT
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June 12, 13, and 14, 2012
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| Second Public Open House on Western and Ashland Corridors BRT |
Fall 2012 |
June 2012 Public Open Houses
To learn more about the Western and Ashland Corridors BRT Project, you are invited to attend the following CTA Open Houses:
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
7th District Police Station
1438 W. 63rd Street
Chicago, IL 60636
This location is served by Green Line (Ashland/63rd Stop) and CTA Bus Routes #9 Ashland, #44 Wallace-Racine and #63 63rd
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Lane Tech College Prep High School
2501 W. Addison Street
Chicago, IL 60618
This location is served by CTA Bus Routes #49 Western and #152 Addison
Thursday, June 14, 2012
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Wells Community Academy High School
936 N. Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
This location is served by Blue Line (Division Stop) and CTA Bus Routes #9 Ashland, #56 Milwaukee, #66 Chicago and #70 Division
Information presented will be the same at all meetings. All facilities are accessible to people with disabilities.
These meetings have the following goals:
- Introduce the project and the Alternatives Analysis (AA) process. The AA is a study of the potential impacts of the various project options. Each option or “alternative” includes different features and service plans.
- Provide additional information to the public about the project.
- Solicit community feedback on the project.
If you require an interpreter, including sign language services, or other accommodations at this update meeting, contact Maria-Teresa Roman, CTA Government and Community Relations Officer, at least five days prior to the update meeting at 1-312-681-2704 or
mroman@transitchicago.com. Para informacion en Español, llame al 1-312-681-2704.
Para pedir información en español u otras adaptaciones, por favor comuníquese con Maria-Teresa Roman al (312) 681-2704 o
mroman@transitchicago.org.
Aby uzyskać informacje lub pomoc w języku polskim należy kontaktaktować się z Maria-Teresa Roman pod numerem (312) 681-2704 lub
mroman@transitchicago.org.
Meeting flyers:
Tell us what you think
We'd like to hear from you. Comments can be made by sending e-mail to westernashlandbrt@transitchicago.com.