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A brighter future: partnership providing a big boost for the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway/Blue Line Corridor
One of our region’s most important corridors, the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway/Blue Line Corridor, is getting a needed boost.
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Chicago Transit Authority to improve mobility, accessibility, and quality of life for motorists, transit riders, residents, and corridor communities.
Constructed in the late 1950s, it was the nation’s first multimodal transportation corridor integrating highway and rail. Over the decades, its infrastructure has aged and travel demand has exceeded capacity, resulting in poor roadway operations and safety issues. Additionally, the Blue Line Forest Park branch has deteriorated, suffering from slow zones and hard-to-access rail stations.
Through a recent investment in a corridor development office (CDO), transportation partners will advance their shared goal of a modernized and improved I-290 Blue Line Corridor.
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Planning for a more efficient transportation system: My Daily Travel survey now underway
The My Daily Travel regional travel survey is underway! As travel behaviors change and technologies evolve over the next few years, transportation planners will use the results of this survey to guide future transportation investments and prioritize improvements for a more efficient transportation system.
If you’ve received an invitation to participate in the My Daily Travel Survey, please visit MyDailyTravelSurvey.com to learn more and complete the survey. Keep an eye on your mailbox now through spring of 2025 if you haven’t received an invitation already! Participants who complete the survey will receive a gift card for their time.
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Seeking a consultant to help CMAP look toward the year 2060 and beyond
We’re looking for a consultant — or a team of consultants — to help CMAP look to the future, toward the year 2060 and beyond!
The consultant will help CMAP pursue a new approach to spark regional action. It’s a chance to think differently about a big-picture regional vision. The focus will be on clear statements of “what” we must do together and “why” it matters to our residents.
CMAP is seeking a highly qualified, creative vendor to shape and advance scenario-planning activities that will prepare the region for future uncertainty. In partnership with CMAP staff, the successful consultant will develop a limited number of plausible futures based on today’s best understanding of the most important trends, opportunities, and threats anticipated to shape the future of our region.
Learn more and get the details. Proposals are due no later than 3:00 p.m. CDT on October 16.
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You can help improve traffic safety in our region
CMAP is partnering with Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties to create safety action plans to reduce — and ultimately eliminate — fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.
Completing these plans will also open up opportunities for communities to apply for federal funding for traffic safety improvements.
We need everyone’s input to understand the most pressing issues and traffic safety hotspots in the communities you live, work, and travel in. Please visit the Safe Travel for All project website (and county-specific pages linked within) to:
- Drop pins on the safety hotspots map
- Take the traffic safety survey
- Get event and open house details
- Sign up for project updates
Help us spread the word! Please share this message with your networks and community.
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Meet the members of CMAP's Board
Welcome to a new feature in the CMAP Update newsletter. We will be highlighting members of the CMAP Board.
In the first installment of the CMAP Board Spotlight, learn more about Nancy Rotering, who is the mayor of Highland Park and represents Lake County on the Board.
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Tell us about yourself: why were you inspired to join the Board?
I was inspired to join the CMAP Board due to my awareness of the transit deserts in Lake County, as well as many other collar counties. I understand the vital impact transit has on our regional economy and quality of life and appreciate the efficiencies that come with collaboration. CMAP's work is critical to the resolution of the complex issues facing our regional transit system.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
I am hoping to amplify the voices of the underserved and economically disadvantaged in the collar counties and improve our regional system to better serve the public's needs. Transit is critical to accessing employment, education, safe housing, and healthcare, as well as improving our quality of life.
What is a hidden gem in your community?
While not necessarily hidden, Ravinia Festival is an incredible gem in Highland Park. Not only does it provide incredible access to a broad range of live music, it provides musical instruments and music lessons in underserved communities throughout the Chicagoland region via its Reach Teach Play Program, and it trains rising musical talent via its Steans Music Institute.
What is a project you are working on right now?
In addition to wrapping up our annual budget with a focus on supporting public safety, infrastructure investment, our local economy, and sustainability — in a fiscally responsible manner — we are working on the creation of a permanent place of remembrance in honor of those killed, wounded and traumatized in the 2022 Highland Park shooting.
Have you received an award or honor that meant a great deal to you?
I received the outstanding instructor award at Northwestern University. As a professor, the recognition by my students and their peers was a completely delightful surprise.
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EV ready: helping lead the push for a cleaner future in northeastern Illinois
Congratulations to our local government partners in Aurora, Batavia, Bensenville, Chicago, DuPage County, Elgin, Glencoe, Hickory Hills, Kane County, Montgomery, Richton Park, and Wilmette for completing the EV Readiness Program.
ON TO 2050, northeastern Illinois' long-range plan, calls on local governments to identify ways to promote electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the transportation system. This group became the second cohort to graduate from this program during a ceremony held at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont.
“These municipalities and counties are significantly contributing to our nation’s goal of a net-zero economy by 2050,” Argonne Director Paul Kearns said. “Argonne partners with industry and all levels of government to deploy innovations that drive U.S. prosperity and advance our national security. We’re thrilled to see these local communities leading the transition to a clean-energy future.”
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and ComEd created the EV Readiness Program to help local governments prepare for the growth of EVs and EV infrastructure in Illinois.
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Survey is open: help RTA improve its mapping and statistics website
The RTA is seeking feedback from users of RTAMS, the agency’s mapping and statistics website, to better understand who uses it and how it can be improved in the future.
RTAMS users are invited to take the survey now through October 21 to weigh in; it will take about 5 minutes to complete.
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Addressing the last-mile problem: UIC UTC seminar to focus on Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand
The second University of Illinois Chicago Urban Transportation Center Seminar Series presentation of the fall examines the "transit last-mile connectivity problem." It takes place from noon to 1:00 p.m. October 17.
Dr. Alireza Khani will discuss how Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand (AMoD) could fill the gap between transit stops and final destinations, making public transportation more accessible and equitable.
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Salt smart: workshops offer lessons in winter best practice for roads, parking lots, and sidewalks
Though temperatures outside are nowhere near freezing, winter weather is not far away. The Salt Smart Collaborative will host virtual and in-person workshops for municipal and public works staff on winter maintenance best practices.
Those who attend the webinars will learn how to reduce the amount of salt used in snow-fighting operations. Sessions are underway.
There are upcoming workshops on roads (October 3, October 8, and October 15) and on parking lots and sidewalks (October 1).
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Help shape the future of downtown Chicago
You can share your input on strategies and actions to help shape the future of downtown Chicago.
The Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) initiated the Central Area Plan Update to envision how the city's central area can better serve Chicago residents, workers and visitors.
In the survey, you can provide input on how DPD can shape the plan update through economic development, transportation and infrastructure, downtown art and entertainment, and more.
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