Rebuilding Rockford: Illinois invests $292M in major transportation overhaul

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced thirteen major projects aimed at modernizing infrastructure in the Rockford area, including bridge replacements, lane expansions, and road resurfacing.

The investment in the “Rebuilding Rockford” program constitutes $292 million in state funding from the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which was passed by the general assembly in 2019.

“Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the Rockford area and throughout the state,” said Gov. JB 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.”

Of the 13 major projects in the Rockford area, six are scheduled to be completed in 2024, and seven are anticipated to be completed between 2025 and 2028.

• Illinois 2 over the Rock River replacement of the twin bridges is underway with the southbound span, followed by the northbound bridge when completed. One lane will be open in each direction at all times during the project, which will wrap up in 2026.
• Interstate 39 and U.S. 20 interchange reconstruction continues through 2024 with the replacement of the Mulford Road bridge. Additional work includes construction of the new northbound and southbound I-39 lanes and reconstruction of U.S. 20. Traffic includes lane shifts and lane closures. The Mulford Road bridge is expected to reopen in September. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
• I-39 at Harrison Avenue interchange conversion from a cloverleaf to a modern, safer diverging-diamond design. Other improvements include reconstructing the intersection at Harrison Avenue and Mall Drive, additional lanes, a new multipurpose trail, lighting, traffic signal replacement and culvert replacement. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
• Illinois 2 (South Main Street) from Clifton Avenue to Pond Street resurfacing is underway. The project will be completed in August. Expect daily lane closures.
• Illinois 173 from Lyford Road to Boone County line. Work will resurface the road which will begin this summer and is scheduled to be completed this fall. Expect daily lane closures controlled by flaggers.
• Illinois 2 near Byron and Illinois 70 in Winnebago County repairs to two bridges are underway: Illinois 2 over Mill Creek south of Byron and Illinois 70 over a drainage ditch east of Leech Road and south of Durand. The Illinois 70 began in June, progressing to the Illinois 2. The project wraps up in August.
• Illinois 75 from Moate Road to Meridian Road patching and resurfacing begins this summer. Expect daily lane closures controlled by flaggers. Work is expected to wrap up in the fall.
• I-39 over the Kishwaukee River bridge washing. Work will begin in August and finish in September. Expect daily lane closures.
• I-39/U.S. 20 to Harrison Avenue expansion 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.
• U.S. 20 from Mill Road to the Kishwaukee River expanding 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.
• Springfield Avenue over North Fork of Kent Creek bridge replacement is programmed to start in 2025.
• Illinois 70 (Kilburn Avenue) from Safford Road to Glenwood Avenue resurfacing is programmed to start in 2025.
• Baxter Road at I-39 bridge deck overlay is programmed to start in 2025.

The Rebuild Illinois program is investing $33.2 billion in total over a period of six years into rebuilding and repairing the state’s aging transportation system.

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