Halsted Line—Project Process and Schedule
The South Halsted Bus Corridor Enhancement Project is led by Pace and CTA. A joint planning study was initiated in early 2018 to evaluate the project area and identify potential bus service improvements. Pace and CTA established a Corridor Advisory Group (CAG) consisting of community leaders, elected officials, regional government entities, and transit agencies to help identify local concerns regarding transit access and mobility in the project area and provide guidance on solutions. With their help, a Corridor Evaluation, Recommendations, and Project Strategy Final Report was developed which outlines alternatives for infrastructure improvements, preliminary station locations, preliminary service and operating plans, proposed running way improvements, and project cost estimates. Pace and CTA will continue to meet with CAG members and communities at key milestones.
The project is following federal regulations to analyze potential environmental impacts. As part of the environmental review, Pace and CTA are seeking public input on the corridors' transit needs, service, running way and station enhancements. The team is also analyzing and document the project’s anticipated impact on air quality, ecological, archaeological, and historic resources as well as noise and vibration. Based on this, a refined final plan for bus enhancements will be developed.
Following the NEPA documentation, the project will enter the design phase where detailed designs will be developed for station locations and proposed running way improvements like dedicated bus lanes and queue jumps.
Stakeholder and public outreach is ongoing throughout the study process.