CTA, CDOT Seek Public Input on Bus Corridor Upgrades to Improve Speed, Safety, and Access (Chicago, IL) – The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) are asking residents to help plan the future of city bus travel through a new Bus Priority Corridor Study—a key step in implementing Chicago’s Better Streets for Buses initiative.
The study will examine ways to make buses faster, safer, and more reliable on five heavily traveled corridors: Pulaski Road, Western Avenue, Cottage Grove Avenue, Fullerton Avenue, and 55th Street/Garfield Boulevard. Together, those routes serve more than 80,000 riders each weekday, connecting neighborhoods, schools, and businesses across the city.
“CTA places tremendous value on hearing directly from the residents of the neighborhoods we serve,” said Nora Leerhsen, CTA’s acting president. “We’re excited to take another step in imagining the future of key bus priority corridors and hearing the many ideas that will help guide future bus system investments.”
CDOT Acting Commissioner Craig Turner said public participation will be central to the project’s success. “We look forward to hearing residents’ priorities and input as we develop plans for more efficient and reliable bus service along these high-ridership routes,” Turner said.
Exploring Improvements Across Chicago
The agencies are evaluating a range of upgrades, including:
Dedicated bus lanes to keep buses moving in traffic
Improved sidewalks and crosswalks for safer access to stops
Upgraded bus shelters and amenities for comfort and accessibility
Traffic signal improvements to reduce delays
Street design changes that enhance safety for all road users
Design concepts developed through the study could move into construction once funding becomes available.
Advocates Call for Equitable Engagement
Transportation advocates praised the city’s focus on bus infrastructure but emphasized the importance of community-driven planning.
“Bus Rapid Transit, when planned with community expertise at its core, has the potential to become an essential and equitable transportation option in Chicago,” said Julia Hage, transportation manager at the Center for Neighborhood Technology. “We urge that this process ensures meaningful and safe engagement, keeping communities at the center so that bus improvements truly expand access to jobs, healthcare, and education.”
Public Meetings Scheduled
CTA and CDOT will host several public meetings to share early concepts and gather community feedback:
Gage Park Fieldhouse: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 – 5:30–7 p.m. (2411 W. 55th St.)
Avondale-Logandale Elementary School: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 – 5:30–7 p.m. (3212 W. George St.)
Washington Park Refectory: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 – 5:30–7 p.m. (5531 Russell Drive)
Virtual Meeting: Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 – 6–7:30 p.m. (link to be announced)
Residents can review materials, share feedback, and sign up for updates online at transitchicago.com/betterstreetsforbuses.
Building on Broader Transit Initiatives
The Bus Priority Corridor Study builds on the Better Streets for Buses Plan, a long-term framework for improving Chicago’s streets and bus infrastructure. It also complements the Bus Vision Project, CTA’s forthcoming effort to evaluate routes, schedules, and service levels citywide. Outreach for that initiative is expected to begin in early 2026.
The study is jointly funded by Cook County’s Invest in Cook program, an IDOT Technical Services Grant, and additional support from CTA and CDOT. Both agencies plan to seek further local, state, and federal funding to implement the study’s recommendations.
CTA, CDOT Seek Public Input on Bus Corridor Upgrades to Improve Speed, Safety, and Access
