Special Transportation Studies
The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) supports local communities in planning transportation improvements through its Special Transportation Studies (STS) program. Since 2016, this program has provided funding for consultant-led projects that help communities plan for safer streets, better mobility, and stronger infrastructure.
The STS program is funded through the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) allocation, which comes from federal transportation funds. These funds are designated to support transportation planning and studies, rather than construction. MPO funding ensures that local projects align with regional and federal transportation priorities, helping communities plan improvements that are safe, efficient, and sustainable.
How the Program Works
Each year, TCRPC invites local communities to submit proposals for transportation planning projects. Applications are reviewed by staff and a committee, prioritized based on local impact and feasibility, and approved by the Commission. Funded projects are typically completed within the fiscal year (July–June), with potential extensions when needed.
Types of Projects Funded
STS funding is intended for planning and analysis, not construction or engineering. Eligible projects may include:
- Bicycle and pedestrian planning
- Accessibility and ADA transition plans
- Asset management and data analysis
- Traffic and safety studies
- Corridor and multimodal planning
- Freight, transit, and paratransit planning
- Safety, security, and congestion management studies
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive—TCRPC staff can help determine if a proposed project is eligible.
Current Funding Status
The STS program is open annually, though no call for projects is currently active. Future opportunities and application details will be posted here.
Past Projects
Over the years, STS has funded dozens of projects, from active transportation plans to regional mobility studies. These studies provide communities with guidance and resources to support local transportation priorities. A complete list of previously completed projects is available below.
TCRPC made $181,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1.Village of Bartonville Active Transportation Plan
The Village of Bartonville was awarded $48,000 for the development of an active transportation plan with the ultimate goal of modernizing transportation in the Village by identifying gaps in service, analyzing the efficiency of current and proposed pathways, and assessing the effectiveness of prospective infrastructure improvements.
2. City of East Peoria Stormwater Asset Management
The City of East Peoria received $34,685 to continue its inventory and assessment of the City’s storm sewer infrastructure in selected high need areas, particularly along the bluff, to understand the extent of erosion and sedimentation issues related to transportation.
3. City of Peoria Bicycle Master Plan Update
The City of Peoria was awarded $65,000 with a $15,000 local contribution, creating a total project budget of $80,000, for updating its 2016 Bicycle Master Plan to incorporate new priorities and prepare an implementation strategy.
4. Village of Peoria Heights Central Business District Access, Circulation, and Parking Study
The Village of Peoria Heights received $40,000 for the development of an access, circulation, and parking study for its Central Business District, known locally as “Restaurant Row,” to address perceived shortages in public parking, promote efficient and orderly parking, and enhance access and circulation for all modes of transportation.
TCRPC made $155,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1. Illinois Route 29 Viaduct Benefit-Cost Analysis
The City of Chillicothe was awarded $30,000 to conduct a benefit-cost analysis to identify, quantify, and compare expected benefits (i.e., safety, congestion, livability, etc.) and the costs necessary for improving the Illinois Route 29 viaduct to show the economic viability and competitiveness of the project. Click here to access the final project deliverable.
2. Germantown Hills to McClugage Bridge Trail Feasibility Study
The Village of Germantown Hills received $45,000 to undertake a trail feasibility study along Illinois Route 116 to identify and analyze the potential development of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations from US-150/US-24 to Woodland Knolls Road in Germantown Hills. The feasibility study can be found here.
3. Village of Peoria Heights Active Transportation Plan
The Village of Peoria Heights was awarded $50,000 with a $10,000 local contribution for the development of an active transportation plan with the ultimate goal of modernizing transportation in the Village by identifying gaps in service, analyzing the efficiency of current and proposed pathways, and assessing the effectiveness of prospective infrastructure improvements. Click here to access the Peoria Heights Active Transportation Plan.
4. Waverly Avenue Access, Circulation, and Parking Study
The City of West Peoria received $30,000 for the development of an access, circulation, and parking study along North Waverly Avenue to identify constraints and provide a set of actionable alternatives to create an appropriate balance between safety, mobility, and accessibility for all users. Access the final report here.
TCRPC made $123,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1. The City of Pekin Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
The City of Pekin and Pekin Park District was awarded $60,000 with a $10,000 local match to prepare a Master Plan that develops a cohesive approach for policy adjustments and strategic improvements for safe bicycle and pedestrian transportation throughout Pekin. Access the final Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan here.
2. The City of Peoria Sterling Avenue and Forrest Hill Intersection Safety Study
The City of Peoria received $28,000 with a $7,000 local match to undertake a safety study that completes a preliminary review of the infrastructure condition, intersection geometry, and crashes occurring at the intersection of Sterling Avenue and Forrest Hill and prepares an IDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program grant application. The final report can be found here.
3. Regional Travel Demand Model (TDM) Requests
The MPO received $22,830 to complement TDM requests from member agencies for roadway projects, such as detour impacts for Allen Road from War Memorial Drive to Northmoor Road, and to collect data to improve the operation of the TDM. The final deliverable is available here.
4. The City of Chillicothe Trail Master Plan
The City of Chillicothe received $20,214 to overhaul its Trail Master Plan to streamline, economize, and align routes and phases with potential funding opportunities. The Trail Master Plan can be found here.
TCRPC made $80,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following two projects:
1. The City of Peoria Passenger Rail Station Study
Peoria was awarded $50,000 to complement the IDOT Chicago-Peoria Passenger Rail Feasibility by exploring an ideal location for a potential multimodal transit center that accommodates passenger rail, fixed-route bus service, intercity bus service, and even bikes. The project’s final deliverable can be found here.
2. The City of East Peoria Stormwater Management Planning
The City of East Peoria received $30,000 to inventory and assess the City’s storm sewer infrastructure in selected high need areas, particularly along the bluff, to understand the extent of erosion and sedimentation issues related to transportation. The final report is available here.
TCRPC made $90,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following two projects:
1. The City of East Peoria Riverfront Trail Study
East Peoria was awarded $50,000 to identify and develop a feasibility study trail network that runs along the Illinois River connecting the planned pedestrian accommodations on the McClugage Bridge and Bob Michel Bridge. The feasibility study can be found here.
2. Woodford County Pavement Evaluation and Management
Woodford County received $42,600 to perform a pavement evaluation to determine the pavement’s load-carrying capacity, required structural improvement to meet expected loads, treatment costs, and other improvements needed to meet current geometric standards, as per IDOT’s 3R requirements. The final report is available here.
TCRPC made $90,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1. The City of Peoria Pavement Management Decision Optimization
Peoria was awarded $33,600 and contributed a local match of $8,400 for a total project cost of $42,000. The provided funding purchased the Decision Optimization Technology software from Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. to aid in the project prioritization process that utilizes technology and community importance metrics. The final deliverable is access to a subscription-based software; therefore, no final report is available.
2. Peoria County Regional Smart Mobility Plan, Phase II
Peoria County received $30,000 to continue the Greater Peoria Smart Mobility Plan to explore an actionable plan to deploy a supporting infrastructure of Smart Cities, including connected and automated vehicles, identified from the FY 2019 Special Transportation Study. The final report for Phases I and II is available here.
3. The Village of Morton Bike Master Plan
Morton was awarded $16,800 and contributed a local match of $4,200 for a total project cost of $21,000. The funding was for a Bike Master Plan that evaluated all bicycle facility types to create a master plan that considers the varied needs of different rider types, surrounding land uses, and trip types, and connects bikeable destinations within the Village. Additionally, regional bikeway trailheads will be connected to the Morton bicycle network to easily and safely connect the region to Morton destinations. The Bike Master Plan is available here.
4. Woodford County Asset Management & Feasibility Project
Woodford County received $9,500 to develop a computer-based system that assisted with developing short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (5+ years) plans for maintenance and capital improvements. The project also provided a format for monitoring conditions, scheduled inspections, and aid benefit/cost scenario preparations for scheduled repair, replacements, or enhancements for the various assets included in the program. The final deliverable is a computer-based system; therefore, no report is available.
TCRPC made $108,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1. Village of Bartonville Street Light Inventory
The Village of Bartonville was awarded $14,076 for the development of an inventory and GIS layer for traffic signals and street lights. The final deliverable is a GIS inventory; therefore, no final report is available.
2. City of Pekin Traffic Signal Optimization
The City of Pekin received $48,000 to modernize its traffic signals to optimize traffic flow by reviewing 16 locations of Pekin’s traffic signals to determine the most efficient flow of traffic throughout the City.
3. City of Peoria Thoroughfare Plan and Map
The City of Peoria was awarded $40,000 to update the 2001 Thoroughfare Plan and Map to clearly outline where planned growth within the City of Peoria is focused over the next decade and include alternative transportation accommodations. The Thoroughfare Plan and Map is available here.
4. Peoria County Regional Smart Mobility Plan, Phase I
Peoria County received $20,000 to develop the Greater Peoria Smart Region Strategic Plan to ensure all segments of the region’s population benefit from smart mobility and innovation, drive economic development, and reduce disparities. The final report for Phases I and II is available here.
TCRPC made $165,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1. City of Chillicothe 4th Street Corridor Revitalization Study
The City of Chillicothe was awarded $20,000 to undertake a corridor revitalization study along Illinois Route 29, which is known as 4th Street within Chillicothe’s corporate limits, to identify and analyze the potential improvement opportunities in priority areas. Access the final planning report here.
2. City of East Peoria Sidewalk and ADA Plan
The City of East Peoria received $57,000 for the inventory and condition analysis of sidewalks and ADA ramps, resulting in the development of the East Peoria Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Transition Plan. Click here to access the final document.
3. City of Pekin Derby Street Corridor Plan & Revitalization Study
The City of Pekin was awarded $25,000 for the development of a Corridor Plan and Revitalization Study for the Derby Street commercial corridor from 2nd Street to 14th Street. The project’s goal is to enhance the physical condition of infrastructure along the corridor to encourage redevelopment and rehabilitation of commercial and residential structures. Review the final deliverable here.
4. City of Peoria Downtown Wayfinding Plan
The City of Peoria received $58,000 for the development of a Downtown Wayfinding and Signage Plan to further encourage pedestrian trips in the downtown and to enhance and promote pedestrian access and convenience. The plan includes sign design for routing, wayfinding, and distance to direct individuals around downtown Peoria, route motorists to large venues and off-street parking, and give suggestions for sign locations. The project resulted in a Wayfinding Analysis and Design Concepts.
5. City of Washington Transportation Plan
The City of Washington was awarded $30,000 to develop a transportation plan to be included in a comprehensive plan at a later date. The City of Washington Transportation Priorities can be found here.
TCRPC made $109,675 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1. City of East Peoria Four Corners Study
The City of East Peoria was awarded $37,975 to develop a parking and traffic study of the Washington Street corridor in East Peoria known as the Four Corners, which begins at the terminus of the East Peoria Levee District improvements (east of Spinder Drive) and ends at the intersection with Springfield Road. Click here to access the final report.
2. City of Pekin Port Study
The City of Pekin received $37,200 for a multimodal growth study for freight movement in the Greater Peoria area to determine the feasibility of a multimodal port along the Illinois River. The final deliverable was a two-phase process. The Phase I final report is available here, and the Phase II final document can be accessed here.
3. Tazewell County Non-Motorized Wayfinding Study
The City of East Peoria, Village of Morton, City of Pekin, and City of Washington were awarded $30,000 to complete a wayfinding analysis for non-motorized recreation trails within the four communities. The analysis will allow current and future users to more safely and efficiently use the existing systems, identify potential new routes, and create a brand that can be used throughout the region. The final Non-Motorized Wayfinding Study is available here.
4. City of Peoria Traffic Counts
The City of Peoria received $4,500 for collecting traffic counts at three intersections in the City to test existing traffic versus the standards in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to determine if traffic signals are warranted at the following locations:
- Prospect Road and Tripp Avenue (signalized, older equipment);
- Adams Street and Sloan Street (signalized, older equipment);
- University Avenue and Tenton Drive (not currently signalized).
A memo outlining the data collection process and traffic count data is available here.
TCRPC made $90,000 available for funding Special Transportation Studies and awarded the following four projects:
1. Village of Peoria Heights Commercial Corridors Master Plan
The Village of Peoria Heights was awarded $45,000 for the development of a corridor planning and revitalization study for commercial corridors in Peoria Heights along Glen Avenue, Prospect Road, and War Memorial Drive. Click here to access the final report.
2. City of Peoria Sterling Traffic Counts
The City of Peoria received $14,750 for collecting 24-hour traffic counts with turning movements at signalized intersections along Sterling Avenue from Farmington Road to War Memorial Drive/Glen Avenue. The final deliverables are traffic counts and turning movements; therefore, no final report is available.
3. City of Peoria Bicycle Wayfinding Plan
The City of Peoria was awarded $29,950 for developing a Bicycle Wayfinding Plan to enhance and highlight opportunities for cycling by providing a cohesive and legible navigational system that reflects the character and history of Peoria. Click here to view the City of Peoria Bicycle Wayfinding Guide.