Agencies
Services
Winnebago County: U.S. 20 from Pecatonica to Falconer Road
Upcoming Virtual Public Meeting
The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a Virtual Public Meeting for the U.S. 20 Corridor Study between Pecatonica Road and Falconer Road in Winnebago County.
The meeting will introduce the Phase I study and provide an overview of existing roadway conditions along the corridor. The project team will also share information about potential improvement concepts currently being evaluated to enhance safety, traffic operations, and long-term roadway performance.
Safety improvements being evaluated include the potential implementation of Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections at select locations along the corridor.
An RCUT is an alternative intersection design that improves safety by reducing the most severe types of crashes. At an RCUT intersection, side-street traffic is restricted from crossing the highway or turning left directly onto it. Instead, drivers turn right onto the highway and then make a U-turn at a designated median opening to travel in the desired direction. This design significantly reduces conflict points and has been shown to improve safety and traffic flow on high-speed roadways.
Learn more about how RCUT intersections work.
*** Section 4(f) Notice – The proposed project would involve use of land adjacent to, or over, the Pecatonica Prairie Path. The Pecatonica Prairie Path may be impacted during construction, however, ROW acquisition is not anticipated from the Pecatonica Prairie Path and the project would not affect the park’s activities, features or attributes that make the property eligible for Section 4(f) protection. Through publication of this notice, the Department is requesting the public’s views on the proposed use of parkland, and on FHWA’s intent to make a Section 4(f) de minimums determination. The public will have the opportunity to comment during this public meeting regarding any potential use of land adjacent to, or over, the Pecatonica Prairie Path.
Community members will have the opportunity to learn more about the study and ask questions.
Watch the April 9 Virtual Public Meeting
Select Resources below for exhibits shown at the meeting.
IDOT is conducting a Phase I Engineering Study for a 7.5-mile section of U.S. 20 from just west of Pecatonica Road to just west of Falconer Road in Winnebago County. A Phase I study is the first step in the project development process. It looks at existing conditions, identifies safety and traffic issues, considers environmental impacts, and explores possible improvements. This 7.5-mile corridor is a vital east–west connection, carrying both local traffic and regional freight.
Project needs:
- Pavement condition – The pavement on U.S. 20 has exceeded its service life and is in need of repairs at increasing intervals.
- Safety – From 2019 to 2023, there were 194 reported crashes within the project limits. The most common crash types included:
- Rear-end collisions (32%)
- Animal collisions (26%)
- Fixed-object collisions (12%)
- Turning collisions (10%)
- Traffic demand – The corridor carries approximately 14,700 vehicles per day, including significant truck traffic.
- Drainage – Existing roadside ditches and culverts will be analyzed and be brought to current standards.
The study will evaluate roadway improvements, safety enhancements, and traffic management strategies during construction to keep traffic moving while work is underway.
The U.S. 20 Phase I Study is the first step in a multi-phase process:
- Phase I (underway):
- Crash analysis and safety assessment
- Geometry improvement evaluation
- Intersection Improvement assessment
- Traffic management analysis (detour and staging options)
- Environmental and drainage studies
- Right-of-way impact assessment
- Public involvement activities
- Phase II (Future):
- Preparation of detailed design plans
- Right-of-way and utility coordination
- Phase III (Future):
- Construction (timing is dependent on funding availability)
Traffic during construction
Plans for how traffic will be maintained during construction are still under evaluation. More information will be shared once a preferred approach is identified.
Virtual Public Meeting - Thursday, April 9, 2026
What is the purpose of this study?
To evaluate roadway conditions, safety concerns, and traffic operations along U.S. 20, and to identify needed improvements.
What can I expect to see while the study takes place?
Because this is a Phase I study, no construction will occur yet. Instead, residents may notice:
- Survey crews gathering information along the roadway and in adjacent ditches or fields.
- Environmental fieldwork such as drainage reviews, or wildlife surveys.
How will safety be improved?
Potential improvements may include Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersections (RCUT) at selected locations to improve safety at side road crossings
When will construction begin?
Construction will begin after Phase I and Phase II are complete. The timeline depends on funding availability.
Will property access be affected?
Driveway and business access will be maintained during construction. Temporary lane closures will be staged to minimize disruption.
How much will the project cost?
A project cost estimate is in the process of being evaluated.
Comments can be sent to:
Mike Kuehn, Program Development Engineer
Illinois Department of Transportation, District 2
819 Depot Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021
Email: Michael.Kuehn@illinois.gov
Learn more about IDOT projects. For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT's traveler information page on GettingAroundIllinois.