RTA has the money, if you know how to spend it

Transit improvements could be headed to your town with 43 projects in the region slated for funding from the Regional Transportation Authority.

After wading through 62 applications from municipalities, counties and transportation agencies, the RTA Monday released a short list of finalists expected to receive more than $18 million in grants collectively.

The money is going to entities who offered ideas to get more riders on trains and buses, enhance transit services for seniors and people with disabilities and connect workers to jobs. Applicants also are expected to provide some matching funds of their own.

RTA Executive Director Steve Schlickman said the agency was looking for innovative concepts that were expected to reduce congestion, improve air quality and expand transportation choices for riders.

Here's a look at some local proposals that made the cut.

• Studying how to develop an express bus system along the I-355/Route 53 corridor between New Lenox and Lake-Cook Road.

• Coming up with a transit improvement plan for Bensenville and its Metra station and looking into service between the village and O'Hare International Airport.

• A study identifying where in East Dundee to locate a transit center to serve as a Pace bus hub and also examining whether to add Pace bus service on Route 72 to Prairie Stone Business Park in Hoffman Estates.

• Creating a transit-oriented development plan for a half-mile radius around the Cumberland Metra Station in Des Plaines.

• Assessing Schaumburg's transit service, gauging customer satisfaction and developing ways to coordinate between programs.

• A study on whether to establish a bus circulator system between First Street and Towne Center in St. Charles and the Geneva Metra station.

• Updating DuPage County's transit area plan.

• Beefing up the transit component of Kane County's long-range transportation and land use plan.

• Funding the Ride DuPage to Work program.

• Funding the Ride-In-Kane program that offer paratransit services.

• Funding the Lake County Northwest Demonstration Project, which is a dial-a-ride service in Antioch, Avon, Grant and Lake Villa townships for people with limited mobility.

• Expanding the Lake County Northwest Circulator involving Pace Bus Route 570.

• Creating new bus circulator routes in Addison, Lombard and Wheaton.

• Developing north-south transit service using I-355 between Will, DuPage and Cook counties and a limited-stop express service from Bolingbrook to Schaumburg.

The RTA board of directors will vote on the proposals Oct. 23.

The RTA is accepting comments on the proposed projects between now and Oct. 10. To participate, visit rtachicago.com/projectcomments, call (312) 913-3143 or send a letter to: The Regional Transportation Authority, Attention: Funding Programs, 175 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1550, Chicago IL 60604.