Project Overview
The Palatine-Willow Corridor Study is a pedestrian and bicycle-focused transportation study being conducted by the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) for the Northwest Municipal Conference. This study is identifying strategies for accommodating walking and cycling along and across Palatine/Willow Road, a regionally significant suburban arterial programmed for reconstruction by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Eight communities affected by this corridor are involved: Prospect Heights, Arlington Heights, Glenview, Northfield, Northbrook, Wheeling, Palatine, and Winnetka.
The study is drawing on the expertise and concerns of a range of stakeholders, including: elected officials, municipal staff, Northwest Municipal Conference staff, IDOT staff, representatives from the Community Mobilization Team, area bicycle advocates and local school officials.
The project's goals and scope were agreed upon at a meeting in the Village of Arlington Heights on March 25th, 2002. Our next step was to ask each community to identify short, medium and long term bicycle and pedestrian planning needs. The Villages of Arlington Heights and Northfield replied with short term needs. (A preliminary engineering project for Willow Road improvements was underway in Northfield. The Phase I Project Report for Palatine Road in Arlington Heights was nearly complete.) CATS staff reviewed the preliminary plans and visited both communities to identify pedestrian and bicycle accommodations that might be incorporated into the projects. Our recommendations are summarized in technical reports:
- Village of Northfield (PDF) 1.12 MB
- Village of Arlington Heights (PDF) 3.29 MB
In December 2002, CATS called a meeting to kick off the next phase of data collection and analysis. This meeting provided CATS staff feedback on the technical report(s) released by the time of the meeting and more details about local needs and opportunities. We used aerial photographs and other materials to facilitate the discussion. Participants proposed having meetings with IDOT and its design consultants to discuss specific areas along Palatine/Willow Road, focusing first on the segment between US12 and IL83. Two meetings have been held since then to discuss the merits of particular pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, such as narrowing the crossing distance at intersections, installing signalized mid-block crossings, and using landscaping and signage to alert motorists to changes in the roadway environment. A public meeting will be organized in the spring to review and discuss alternatives. Check these pages for updates and meeting materials. |
Meeting Materials
May 20, 2003
- Agenda (PDF)
- Field Visit Checklist (PDF)
- Draft Summary of Schoenbeck/Palatine Road Ideas (PDF)
May 1, 2003
- Agenda (PDF)
- Draft Meeting Summary (PDF)
April 2, 2002
- Draft Meeting Summary (PDF)
February 25, 2003
CATS and Pace Suburban Bus Service hosted a two-day pedestrian design workshop. Michael Ronkin, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation, was the speaker. He commented on the plans for Palatine Road during the discussion of local case studies. We have selected some images from his library that reflect his advice. We have also added comments to some local images and plans.
February 21, 2003
- Agenda (PDF)
- Draft Meeting Summary (PDF)
January 30, 2003
- Agenda (PDF)
- Meeting Summary (PDF)
- Participant Feedback on Design Strategies (PDF)
December 21, 2002
- Agenda (PDF)
- Participant Comments on Walking and Biking Needs (PDF)
March 25, 2002
- Agenda (PDF)
- Project Proposal (PDF)
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300 W. Adams, 2nd Floor