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Press Release - Thursday, August 10, 2023
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Rebuilding Rockford: Major projects highlight Year Five of Rebuild Illinois
Gov. Pritzker's historic capital program improving infrastructure throughout Illinois
ROCKFORD - Entering Year Five of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that multiple projects in the Rockford area are completed, planned or underway, highlighting an ongoing commitment made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic, bipartisan capital program. Eight major projects represent a total investment of more than $266.5 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.
"Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the Rockford area and throughout the state," said Gov. Pritzker. "Through the largest capital program in state history, IDOT will be delivering improvements to build a more resilient, accessible and equitable system of transportation for generations to come, while creating jobs and enhancing local quality of life."
Four projects are scheduled to be completed in 2023 and the remaining four are expected to be completed from 2024 through 2027.
- Bypass U.S. 20 from the Rock River to Alpine Road. Resurfacing, including the ramps at the Illinois 251 (11th Street) interchange. Other work includes guardrail improvements and lighting updates. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction using median crossovers and barrier walls. Staged closures of the Illinois 251 exit ramps with detours will be utilized. The project is expected to be completed by late November, weather permitting.
- Perryville Road over Interstate 39. A bridge replacement started this spring as part of advance work leading to the $247.6 million, multiyear project to improve I-39 between the Bypass U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange and Blackhawk Road. The bridge is closed. Motorists should also expect occasional lane closures and shifts on I-39 during construction, which is expected to be finished by Dec. 1
- I-39 and Bypass U.S. 20 interchange. Reconstruction began in July with the closure of Linden Road to build a bridge that will cross the new southbound lanes of I-39. This project is expected to be completed by the end of November, weather permitting. Construction of the interchange continues through 2024 with the replacement of the Mulford Road bridge and construction of the new northbound and southbound I-39 lanes and reconstruction of Bypass U.S. 20.
- Alpine Road from Harrison Avenue to Charles Street. Resurfacing was completed in mid-June.
- Illinois 76 over Beaver Creek in Boone County. Expansion joint replacement and concrete deck overlay of this bridge was completed in mid-July.
- I-39 at Harrison Avenue. Work will convert this interchange from a cloverleaf to a modern, safer diverging-diamond design. Other improvements include replacing the I-39 bridges and expanding Harrison Avenue from South Mall Drive to Mill Road. Work is anticipated to begin in 2024 and wrap up by the end of 2025.
- I-39 Bypass U.S. 20 to Harrison Avenue. Work will expand the road from four to six lanes with an accessory lane. The project also will replace several bridges. Anticipated to begin in 2025 and wrap up by the end of 2027.
- Bypass U.S. 20 from Mill Road to the Kishwaukee River. Work includes expanding from four to six lanes, improving the intersection with Mill Road and replacing the bridges crossing the Kishwaukee River. Work is expected to begin in 2025 and conclude in 2026.
"Residents of the Rockford and Belvidere areas rely on our infrastructure to commute, visit loved ones and travel around the state," said state Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). "Investing in road and bridge upgrades not only keeps us connected to each other and eases leisure and business travel, but also provides jobs and strengthens the local economy."
"Rebuild Illinois is helping to create jobs, making our transportation infrastructure safer and encouraging greater investment in our community," said state Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford). "It's critical that we continue to build on this progress as we position this region for further development."
"Investment in the Rockford region's infrastructure helps to spark economic opportunity," said state Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). "If we want to attract development and jobs, we have to make sure our transportation network is ready to meet modern demands."
"As the vibrant hub of Northern Illinois' diverse commerce and industry, it is imperative for the Rockford region to maintain and strengthen our transportation infrastructure in every facet," said state Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford). "The bipartisan investments we continue to make are reaping benefits for working families and job creators throughout the Rockford area."
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing a total of $33.2 billion over six years into the state's aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
"We appreciate the work of IDOT and the Pritzker administration. They have worked with us to get South Alpine Road addressed, which has long been one of the worst major roads in the city," said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. "In addition, they are addressing a number of regionally significant projects in Rebuild Illinois."
Accomplishments through Year Four of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges and 762 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state.
"These investments in the Rockford region will strengthen our system of multimodal transportation across the state," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "Remember: If you are driving in Illinois this construction season, you will be driving through work zones. When you see orange, stay patient, drop the devices and slow down."
For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT's traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
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