Cook County is in the early stages of public outreach for its first transportation plan since the 1940 “Highway Plan for Cook County.”
Steven Vance reports on the initial efforts in Chicago to develop a regional Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace, and the Chicago Department of Transportation are all at the table for the planning process, which is expected to take 18 months.
In a statement about the “Connecting Cook County” planning process, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle focused on the plan’s potential to improve on the historic status quo of transportation planning the Cook County area. “We can no longer continue to make one-off transportation investments. We need a coherent strategy,” said Preckwinkle.
The statement also described the multi-modal focus of the LRTP, and the need to tie transportation planning to community and economic development. The current public outreach includes a public survey that uses the MetroQuest platform for tagging ideas and problems on a map of the area.
Read the full story: Cook County Seeks Feedback on First Transportation Plan Since 1940
Progress for Cook County's Long Range Transportation Plan; Funding Questions Remain
Chicago's home county this year launched its first transportation since 1940. Initial outreach efforts have produced a draft vision statement and four planning scenarios.
Chicago Planning Department Rejects 'Overparked' Six Corners Proposal
In a decision that is still impossible in most of the country, Chicago's Department of Planning and Development is requiring housing and reduced surface parking to approve a retail project.
Illinois gets Federal Grant to Reduce Railroad Delays on Chicago's South Side
The Federal government has awarded Illinois $132 million for new infrastructure around 75th street and 71st streets.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies
International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello