Upcoming meetings on street, signal, bus stop infrastructure will help shape the future of travel across Chicago.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) are inviting community members to help shape the future of bus travel in Chicago through public meetings for the Bus Priority Corridor Study— an important step in advancing the Better Streets for Buses Plan.
"CTA places tremendous value on hearing directly from the residents of the neighborhoods we serve, and we are excited to work with our community partners as we take another step in imagining the future of key bus priority corridors across our system," said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. "We are excited to move forward with this important study and look forward to hearing the many thoughts and ideas that will help guide future bus system investments and benefit bus riders for years to come."
The CTA will use the Bus Priority Corridor Study to explore ways to make bus travel faster, more convenient, and more comfortable on five key corridors across the city:
- Pulaski Road (from Peterson to 87th)
- Western Avenue (from Howard to 79th)
- Cottage Grove Avenue (from 35th to 115th)
- Fullerton Avenue (from Grand/Nordica to Halsted)
- 55th Street/Garfield Boulevard (from Cicero to South Hyde Park)
Together, these five corridors serve more than 80,000 rides each weekday and connect dozens of neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and community destinations throughout Chicago.
“We look forward to hearing residents’ priorities and input as we work with CTA to develop plans for more efficient and reliable bus service along these high-ridership routes,” said CDOT Acting Commissioner Craig Turner. “CDOT is proud to partner with CTA on this study and to continue investing in infrastructure that enhances the transit experience for Chicagoans.”
CTA and CDOT will work closely with residents, local businesses, and community organizations to explore potential infrastructure improvements such as:
- Bus lanes to keep buses moving in traffic
- Upgraded bus stop amenities for better safety, comfort, and accessibility
- Improved sidewalks and crosswalks for safer access to bus stops
- Traffic signal upgrades to reduce delays for buses
- Other street design changes that make roads safer for everyone
These concepts will be refined into designs that can move forward to construction when funding becomes available.
"Bus Rapid Transit, when planned with community expertise at its core, has the potential to become an essential and equitable public transportation option in Chicago. Center for Neighborhood Technology, the Transportation Equity Network, and our member organizations look forward to CTA and CDOT launching this study of five critical corridors,” said Julia Hage, Transportation at Center for Neighborhood Technology Manager. “In light of increased immigration raids that have directly limited opportunities for public engagement in our most vulnerable communities, we also urge that this process ensures meaningful and safe community engagement, keeping communities at the center, so that Bus Rapid Transit can truly expand access to jobs, healthcare, and education for thousands of Chicagoans who may not have access to a car or live near rail service."
Community Engagement Opportunities
Public engagement is a key part of the study. CTA and CDOT will host a series of public meetings in the coming months to share early design concepts and gather community feedback, as well as provide opportunity to review materials and provide feedback online, at https://www.transitchicago.com/betterstreetsforbuses/#corridor
Gage Park Fieldhouse: Thursday, November 20, 2025 / 5:30 – 7pm / 2411 West 55th Street Chicago, IL 60632
Avondale-Logandale Elementary School: Monday, December 1, 2025 / 5:30 – 7pm / 3212 W George St Chicago, IL 60618
Washington Park Refectory: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 / 5:30 – 7pm / 5531 Russell Drive Chicago, IL 60637
Virtual Meeting: Monday, December 8, 2025 / 6 – 7:30pm / Meeting Link TBA
Residents are encouraged to attend a meeting, provide feedback online at https://www.transitchicago.com/betterstreetsforbuses/#corridor or sign up for project updates.
How the Study Connects to Other Initiatives
The Bus Priority Corridor Study builds on the Better Streets for Buses Plan—a framework developed by CTA and CDOT to enhance the bus riding experience through infrastructure improvement to streets, sidewalks, and signals.
The study also complements the Bus Vision Project, CTA’s effort to evaluate routes, schedules, and service levels to deliver more efficient and equitable transit service.
Together, these initiatives are shaping the future of bus travel in Chicago. Outreach for the Bus Vision Project is set to begin in early 2026, with additional public touchpoints for the Bus Priority Corridor Study set for next summer.
Funding for the Bus Priority Corridor Study
Led jointly by CTA and CDOT, the Bus Priority Corridor Study is funded through Cook County’s Invest in Cook program and an IDOT Technical Services Grant, with additional support from CTA and CDOT. CTA and CDOT will seek further funding for construction of study recommendations from a variety of local, state, and/or federal sources.