Citizens for Appropriate Transportation (CAT)
The Eisenhower Transportation Corridor

RTA’S COOK – DUPAGE CORRIDOR STUDY

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is looking at transit alternatives for the Eisenhower Corridor. The study has three phases:

1. Travel Market Analysis – to examine corridor travel markets, identify deficiencies, and define the purpose and need for corridor mobility improvements

2. Feasibility Study – to identify alternative solutions to mobility problems, develop corridor planning standards, and identify a short list of feasible options

3. Alternatives Analysis – to evaluate the short list of feasible options to select a Preferred Alternative

The Study Area is bounded by Cicero Avenue on the east, Milwaukee District-West Line (MD-W) on the north, Burlington Northern Santa Fe line (BNSF) on the south, and DuPage – Kane county line on the west. CAT believes Cicero Avenue is a poor choice for the eastern boundary because so few trips end on or near Cicero Avenue. In a letter from CAT to the RTA, we recommended using Michigan Avenue or a nearby street as the eastern boundary because so many trips on the Eisenhower Expressway end downtown.

The RTA’s consultant, Cambridge Systematics, Inc. prepared the Phase 1 Report. This report deals with Existing and Future Conditions. CAT reviewed this report and submitted formal written comments to the RTA. We like this report. It represents competent and professional work. The RTA completed the Phase 2 Report in the Fall of 2008 (see the links below). In April 2009, the RTA decided to "formally close" the Cook DuPage Corridor Study, without completing Phase 3: Alternatives Analysis.

For more information, see the RTA’s web site: www.cook-dupagecorridor.com, which has documents you can download.

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