Blue Line Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study
This page provides information and invites public input regarding the CTA’s Blue Line Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study, process, and schedule. We invite you to explore the website and provide your comments and recommendations regarding the study through our Get Involved section.
On this page
What’s new
Project Initiated
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has initiated the Blue Line Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study. The study is being undertaken to determine a long-term planning strategy for the Blue Line Forest Park Branch, with study limits including the entire Blue Line Forest Park Branch from Clinton station to Forest Park station, including the evaluation of potential expansion alternatives proposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) through their adjacent I-290 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Study that would continue to Mannheim Road. The study area street boundaries extend from a block east of Clinton station at Canal Street on the east to Mannheim Road on the west, and between Madison Street on the north to Roosevelt Road on the south.
Project overview
Project background
The Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study will begin in 2013 and be completed in 2017. The work will be conducted in coordination with alternatives prepared for two ongoing Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) studies, including the I-290 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Circle Interchange Rehabilitation Project. The CTA’s study will involve the assessment of transit and highway integrated enhancements, regional mobility issues, and the identification of funding sources and future collaboration opportunities. Concepts for all stations in the study area will include, but not be limited to, station access, redesign opportunities, and right-of-way (ROW) needs at specific stations along the corridor. The study will explore innovative solutions that preserve transit, but also integrate highway and transit operations to maximize mobility in this important regional corridor.
The Blue Line Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study study area includes the CTA Blue Line Forest Park branch and an expanded area to the west to evaluate proposed IDOT high-capacity transit expansion alternatives. Specifically, from east to west, the study area is from Canal Street (one block east of Clinton Station) to Mannheim Road. From north to south, the study area is from Roosevelt Road to Madison Street.
Study process
1: Data Collection and Existing Conditions Assessment
This stage of the project development process includes: assessing existing conditions and deficiencies within the study area corridor; reaching out to local stakeholders and other interested parties about the project; and hosting a public open house to identify study area issues/concerns.
2: Develop Conceptual Alternatives
This stage of the project consists of the development and analysis of project alternatives. The goal of this step will be to identify a series of alternatives and potential solutions that are suitable to meet project and stakeholder goals that were identified in Step One.
3: Evaluate and Refine Alternatives
The process will continue with the evaluation and refinement of the remaining corridor service alternatives.
Project schedule
Get involved
Public involvement
Stakeholder involvement will be a key component in the preparation of the Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study. A stakeholder is defined as anyone who could be affected by the project and has a stake in its outcome. The CTA will be looking for focused and direct input from all interested stakeholders throughout the study process.
There will be several methods for the public to become involved and obtain information about the project. These methods will provide information and opportunity for feedback regarding upcoming public meeting events, project schedule, and general project status updates within the study area.
Outreach meetings
The Blue Line Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study will include stakeholder outreach to solicit input on and achieve a general understanding of the issues, and to identify potential solutions for the project. Stakeholder outreach is being coordinated with the ongoing I-290 EIS, and Blue Line Feasibility/Vision Study findings and input opportunities will be added to IDOT’s ongoing stakeholder outreach program. CTA has provided project updates and participated in Public Meetings on October 7 and 8, 2013, I-290 EIS Corridor Advisory Group meetings throughout 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and Open House on June 29, 2016 and Public Hearings on January 25 and 26, 2017.
The purpose of the meetings will be to gather the thoughts and concerns regarding the information presented. Questions raised by meeting participants, depending on the nature, will be either answered immediately or addressed in subsequent meetings, letters or other communication mechanisms. Comments received at the public meetings will be documented, and the information will be considered as a part of the analysis and evaluation of the proposed alternatives. Individuals on the mailing list will receive invitations in the mail announcing future meetings.
Following the Public Hearings in January 2017, CTA will complete the Blue Line Forest Park Branch Vision Study in mid-2017.
Outreach materials from past meetings
Public open house meeting materials will be posted here as they become available. Please check back.
- CTA Public Comment Form from joint CTA / IDOT Public Hearings on January 25 and 26, 2017 (.pdf)
- CTA Fact Sheet from joint CTA / IDOT Public Hearings on January 25 and 26, 2017 (.pdf )
Text version of Fact Sheet (.pdf)
- CTA Boards from joint CTA / IDOT Public Hearings on January 25 and 26, 2017 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA boards (.pdf)
- Link to IDOT Presentation from joint CTA / IDOT Public Hearings on January 25 and 26, 2017
- CTA Presentation from IDOT I-290 EIS Corridor Advisory Group Meeting #22 on December 14, 2016 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from City of Chicago Open House on June 29, 2016 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation script (.pdf)
- CTA Boards from City of Chicago Open House on June 29, 2016 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA boards (.pdf)
- CTA Fact Sheet from City of Chicago Open House on June 29, 2016 (.pdf)
Text version of Fact Sheet (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from Village of Oak Park Board Meeting on October 26, 2015 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from Village of Forest Park Council Meeting on October 13, 2015 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
- CTA Boards from Village of Forest Park Council Meeting on October 13, 2015 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA boards (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from IDOT I-290 EIS Corridor Advisory Group Meeting #20 on August 27, 2015 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from IDOT I-290 EIS Corridor Advisory Group Meeting #18 on July 30, 2014 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from joint IDOT / CTA Public Meetings on October 7 and 8, 2013 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
CTA Boards from joint IDOT / CTA Public Meetings on October 7 and 8, 2013 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA boards (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from IDOT I-290 EIS Corridor Advisory Group Meeting #16 on July 17, 2013 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
- CTA Presentation from IDOT I-290 EIS Corridor Advisory Group Meeting #15 on February 21, 2013 (.pdf)
Text version of CTA presentation (.pdf)
Electronic project updates
In addition to the meeting opportunities described in the preceding section, this website will be updated to provide ongoing project information and updates as they become available.
If you would like to be added to the project mailing list to receive project updates, please e-mail us at [email protected].
You can also send us comments or request to be added to our project mailing list via the contact info listed further down this page.
More information
Study documents
Throughout the duration of the Blue Line Forest Park Branch Feasibility/Vision Study, project documents will be posted to the website. These documents may include: draft and final reports, study area maps, presentations, and communication pieces such as, FAQs, glossary of terms, and project photos and graphics.
Information will be posted as it becomes available.
- Station and Station Access Alternatives – Final Report Part 1 of 3, April 2017
- Station and Station Access Alternatives – Final Report Part 2 of 3, April 2017
- Station and Station Access Alternatives – Final Report Part 3 of 3, April 2017
- Summary Public Comments and Responses from 1/25 and 1/26/2017 Public Hearings and Open Comment Period, April 2017
- Transit Ridership Forecasting Analysis – Final Report, December 2016
- Conceptual Service Patterns – Final Report, March 2014
- Evaluation of Transit Markets – Final Report, January 2014
- Responses to Public Comments from 10/7 and 10/8/2013 Public Meetings and Open Comment Period, February 2014
- Summary of Public Comments from 10/7 and 10/8/2013 Public Meetings and Open Comment Period, February 2014
- Appendix to Public Comments from 10/7 and 10/8/2013 Public Meetings and Open Comment Period, February 2014
- Existing Conditions Assessment Executive Summary, September 2013
Press Releases
6/20/2013 - CTA Announces study to modernize West Side branch of Blue Line
Contact Us
As the Blue Line Forest Park Branch Study progresses, we will regularly update this website to ensure you are kept informed of our progress. The study team is interested in hearing your ideas and opinions! If you have questions or comments about the study or would like to sign up for the mailing list, please write to us at:
Chicago Transit Authority
ATTN: Leslie Boucree, Government and Community Relations Liaison
567 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60661
[email protected]