Priority Corridors for Future Development

As part of Pace’s strategic plan, Driving Innovation, key corridors were identified for the near-term implementation of Pulse service. These corridors were selected to build upon existing ridership and to provide competitive mobility and connectivity for those living and working along existing and future Pulse lines. 

To date, Pace has implemented two lines, the Pulse Milwaukee Line, which began operating in 2019 and the Pulse Dempster Line that began operating in August of 2023. The next three corridors currently in project development include Halsted, 95th Street, and Cermak . Future corridors that have been identified for Pulse service include Harlem, Touhy, Western, and North avenues. The status of project development for each corridor is depicted on the Near-Term Priority Pulse Corridor map below.

Achieving Corridor Planning Results

Below is a list of corridor and other planning studies that support forthcoming planning work on future Pulse lines:

• Central Harlem Avenue Corridor Study
• 95th Street Project Definition
• 95th Street Project Definition Appendices
• 159th Street Corridor Planning Study
• ART Implementation Plan
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Market Research Project (Cermak-Butterfield Corridor)
• Cook DuPage Area Rapid Transit Investment Study
• Pace's Arterial Rapid Transit Study  
• South Harlem Avenue Corridor Study
• North Ave. Corridor Final Report

Pace encourages municipalities and developers to incorporate the agency’s Transit Supportive Guidelines. This document provides a range of design and policy solutions that support the operation of all Pace services, including Pulse.

Included with Pace’s Transit Supportive Guidelines is the DRAFT program (Design Review Assistance for Transit). Pace transit engineers can provide complementary technical reviews of preliminary transit infrastructure designs associated with new developments, roadway improvements, and other changes in land use and infrastructure. Pace encourages developers, municipalities, roadway officials, businesses, and others to contact Pace’s transportation engineers at Transportation.Engineer@pacebus.com for assistance with planning and designing such improvements. 

Implementing Pulse Service

Pace continually evaluates corridors and tracks planned developments to ensure that investments enhance the transit system.

As part of the planning process, Pace assesses Pulse funding needs and applies for state, federal, and/or local grants for implementing Pulse project phases. Typically, these funds are used to complete preliminary planning work, fulfill federally-mandated environmental review requirements, engineering, construction, vehicles, and operations. Given the level of investment associated with Pulse, Pace continues to look to local partners to support this program with transit-friendly infrastructure and development in order to maximize regional transportation dollars.