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Comprehensive Report prepared for Chicago Department of Transportation prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. with URS O-H Community Partners EJM Engineering MKC Associates November 2012 Preface The South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study began with an assessment of the study area’s existing travel markets, analysis of existing and projected land use and an inventory of the transit network infrastructure and operations. This information was documented in a technical report titled Existing Conditions Assessment, which was issued in November 2012. This Comprehensive Report is a final deliverable of the South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study, which began in November 2010 and was completed in November 2012. This report consists of two parts: a Summary Report on the study, which was also issued as a stand-alone report, and a detailed description of the potential projects to be considered for implementation. Acknowledgments The authors of this report wish to acknowledge the following for their guidance and input during this study: The Technical Advisory Committee Staff representatives of: • Regional Transportation Authority • City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development • Chicago Transit Authority • Metra The Public Advisory Committee Aldermen representing the study area including: • Alderman Willie Cochran - Ward 20 • Alderman Pat Dowell - Ward 3 • Alderman Leslie A. Hairston - Ward 5 Representatives of the following organizations and institutions: • Apostolic Church of God • Active Transportation Alliance • Blind Services Association • Bronzeville Chamber of Commerce • Center for Neighborhood Technology • Chatham Business Association • Claretian Associates • Developing Communities Project • Friends of the Park • Illinois Institute of Technology • Metropolitan Planning Council • Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC) • Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (S.O.U.L.) • Southeast Chicago Development Corporation (SEDCOM) • South East Chicago Commission • The Community Builders • University of Chicago • Urban Partnership Bank • Washington Park Consortium We would also like to thank the Metropolitan Planning Council for providing the facilities for the project PAC meetings. South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study Summary Report Summary Report Funded by the Regional Transportation Authority prepared for Chicago Department of Transportation prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. with MKC Associates URS Corporation O-H Community Partners, Ltd. EJM Engineering, Inc. Final November 2012 South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study Summary Report prepared for Chicago Department of Transportation prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 115 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 60603 with MKC Associates URS Corporation O-H Community Partners, Ltd. EJM Engineering, Inc. Final November 2012 Summary Report Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Study Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Study Area ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Project Approach and Scope ................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Overview of Public Involvement Approach ......................................................................... 4 1.5 Study Outcome .......................................................................................................................... 5 2.0 Existing Transportation Infrastructure, Services, and Ridership ........................................... 7 2.1 Metra Electric District (MED) .................................................................................................. 7 2.2 CTA Rail ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 CTA Bus ................................................................................................................................... 11 2.4 Key Findings and System Improvement Opportunities ................................................... 13 3.0 Existing Demographics and Travel Markets............................................................................. 15 3.1 Demographics.......................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Trip Patterns ............................................................................................................................ 16 3.3 Current Trips on CTA ............................................................................................................ 18 3.4 Current Trips on Metra .......................................................................................................... 18 3.5 Key Findings and Market Opportunities ............................................................................ 19 4.0 Existing Land Use and Development ......................................................................................... 21 4.1 Existing Land Uses ................................................................................................................. 21 4.2 Development Projects ............................................................................................................. 23 4.3 Corridor and Node Analysis ................................................................................................. 24 4.4 Key Land Use and Development Findings ......................................................................... 27 5.0 Public Involvement in Selection of Projects ............................................................................. 29 5.1 Stakeholder Identification of Goals and Objectives ........................................................... 29 5.2 Universe of Candidate Improvements ................................................................................. 30 5.3 Public Input on Projects ......................................................................................................... 34 5.4 Potential Projects and Example Improvements .................................................................. 35 6.0 Projects Underway or In Planning .............................................................................................. 37 i Summary Report 7.0 Summary of Evaluation Findings for Example Improvements ............................................. 41 7.1 New Bus Route on 83rd Street ................................................................................................ 43 7.2 Enhanced Bus Service on King Drive ................................................................................... 43 7.3 Rail Station Enhancements .................................................................................................... 44 7.4 Cottage Grove Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) .............................................................................. 44 7.5 Cottage Grove Streetcar ......................................................................................................... 45 7.6 55th Street/Garfield Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) .................................................. 45 7.7 79th Street Enhanced Bus ........................................................................................................ 46 7.8 Gold Line .................................................................................................................................. 46 7.9 Transit-Oriented Development ............................................................................................. 47 8.0 Next Steps ........................................................................................................................................ 49 ii Summary Report List of Tables 1. 2006 Typical Weekday Boardings and Alightings from Study Area Metra Stations ...... 9 2. Average Weekday Entering Ridership at CTA Stations ................................................... 10 3. Average Weekday Ridership on Current CTA Bus Routes ............................................. 12 4. Key Characteristics of the Population in the Study Area ................................................. 15 5. Stakeholder Identification of Goals and Objectives .......................................................... 29 6. Evaluation Screening Criteria ............................................................................................... 33 7. Candidate Projects by Category ........................................................................................... 35 8. Comparison of Example Project Improvements ................................................................ 42 List of Figures 1. Map of Study Area ................................................................................................................. 2 2. Characteristics of Work and Nonwork Trips From the Study Area ............................... 17 3. Transit Market Share ............................................................................................................. 20 4. Study Area Land Use ............................................................................................................. 22 5. Alignment of Jeffery Boulevard BRT ..................................................................................