Winnebago County: I-39/U.S. 20 reconstruction in Cherry Valley

Overview

General Overview

The project is in Winnebago County in Northern Illinois, south and east of Rockford and in Cherry Valley. I-39 is a north/south interstate, beginning north of Bloomington and continuing north around the east side of Rockford and into Wisconsin. The roadway carries regional and local traffic through Winnebago County. U.S. 20 is an east/west four-lane expressway through most of Winnebago County but becomes a freeway beginning west of Rockford and ending at the I-39/Harrison Avenue interchange. It is a joint interstate section with I-39 beginning at the system interchange. The Harrison Avenue interchange is one of three primary local access interchange with I-39 on the east side of Rockford.

IDOT has coordinated with the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP), as well as the Village of Cherry Valley, Winnebago County, and the Rockford-Winnebago County Better Roads Association in early stages of project development and will continue to do so throughout design completion and construction.

Project Purpose

I-39/U.S. 20 was constructed in the early 1960’s, with the I-39/U.S. 20 interchange (System interchange) constructed in 1980 and the I-39/U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange in 1963. The existing pavement varies throughout the project corridor, with some overlays and repairs taking place on numerous sections throughout the years.

Phase I included capacity analyses, crash studies, condition assessments, and future traffic projections for the study area. Results of these studies determined the need for redesign and reconstruction of the corridor and associated interchanges, including connecting roadways, structures, and noise walls.

The purpose of the proposed improvements to I-39 is to:

• Improve conditions at the interchanges.
• Reduce congestion on the roadways.
• Improve safety and provide continuity with adjacent roadways.

Scope

From the completed Phase I study, three specific sections of the corridor were recommended for reconstruction. They include:

• I-39/U.S. 20 Mainline
• I-39/U.S. 20 Interchange (System Interchange)
• I-39/U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue Interchange

Along with those major typical sections of redesign and reconstruction, the scope of the project also includes the following related reconstruction projects:

• Reconstruction of the I-39/U.S. 20 interchange (System Interchange).
• Reconstruction and capacity expansion of the I-39 northbound and southbound ramps from one lane to two lanes at U.S. 20.
• Reconstruction and widening to three lanes plus an auxiliary lane on I-39 from U.S. 20 to Harrison Avenue, including wider shoulders.
• Addition of concrete median barrier on I-39.
• Reconstruction of 15 bridge structures including the Kishwaukee River bridges on U.S. 20.
• Reconstruction of 44 culverts.
• Reconstruction and additional lanes on U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue with three lanes in each direction along Harrison Avenue from west of South Mall Drive to east of Mill Road.
• Conversion of the I-39/U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange from a full cloverleaf to a Diverging Diamond interchange, including the removal of the existing cloverleaf ramps.
• Reconstruction of Mulford Road, Linden Road, Perryville Road, Mall Drive, and reconstruction and geometric revisions of Mill Road.
• Traffic signalization at Harrison Avenue and South Mall Drive, Harrison Avenue and Mill Road, and the two DDI intersections at the ramp terminals in the Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20 Interchange.
• Reconstruction and relocation of the Cherry Valley Path under I-39 at Madigan Creek.
• Reconstruction of the existing noise wall southwest of Mulford and U.S. 20.
• Potential construction of new noise wall along segments of I-39 (To Be Discussed at Public Meeting on Jan. 18, 2023)
• Addition of a shared use path along the north side of Harrison Avenue.
• Improved roadway lighting.
• New landscaping.
• New signing.
• Drainage improvements.

Study

IDOT projects typically have three distinct phases.

Phase I (Project Study)

• Scope - Consists of developing the project scope, environmental studies, and preliminary design of a project.
• Status – Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study completed January 14, 2019.

Phase II (Design)

• Scope - Consists of refining the design to develop contract plans and land acquisition.
• Status. - The project is in the early stages of Phase II Engineering Design and Planning.

Phase III (Construction)

• Scope - Consists of the construction of the project.
• Status. - Updates will be provided as they become available.

Phase I (Completed)

The Phase I Design and Planning Study of the I-39 corridor was completed in 2019. The study included historic analyses of the roadways, capacity studies, crash studies, safety analysis, existing conditions assessment, alignment analysis, land use, and an evaluation of environmental resources and concerns on the possible effects of reconstruction on the surrounding environment. The study concluded that reconstruction of the corridor was necessary due to safety and capacity issues, as well as current and future projected conditions.

The reconstruction of I-39 will:

• Improve capacity, safety, and operations on I-39 using 3 thru lanes in each direction, with northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes.
• Improve capacity, safety, and operations on the I-39 ramps at the U.S. 20 Interchange by widening from one lane to two lanes.
• Improve capacity, safety, and operations at the I-39 Harrison Avenue Interchange by eliminating the low-speed loop ramps and converting to a Diverging Diamond Interchange.

Phase II

IDOT and the design consultant are currently preparing plans, specifications, and estimates for construction. Since Phase I was completed, revisions to the final design due to further analysis include the following (which will be covered in more detail at the 2022 I-39 Public Meeting):

1. Perryville Road Realignment
   Phase I design called for the new bridge to be built adjacent to the existing bridge using a curved roadway. Phase II redesign now has the new bridge to be reconstructed at the same location as the existing bridge using straight roadway. Mulford Road will be used as a detour during construction.

2. Mulford Road Alignment
   Phase I design called for the new bridge to be built next to the existing bridge using curved roadway. Phase II redesign now has the new bridge to be reconstructed at the same location as the existing bridge using straight roadway. Perryville Road will be used as a detour during construction.

3. I-39 Alignment Shift
   Phase I design reduced distance from traffic to the east right-of-way with added lanes. The Phase II redesign has been revised to hold the east edge of the pavement for the alignment.

4. New Noise Walls
   During Phase II, the consultant team conducted a noise reevaluation to reflect the updated Noise Policy. The proposed re-evaluation has identified the potential inclusion of two new noise walls, segments along I-39 (To be discussed at a public meeting on January 18, 2023).

5. Kishwaukee River Bridge
   During Phase II, replacement of the U.S. 20 bridges over Kishwaukee River was determined necessary.

6. Cherry Valley Path
   Phase II design warrants the temporary rerouting of the Cherry Valley Path during construction.

Schedule

Timeline

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023 and conclude at the end of 2027.

Resources

Additional information including project documents and displays will be added to this tab as they become available.  

Helpful Materials

• Location Map (Location Map.pdf)
• Phase I DDI Simulation (DDI_PM Simulation.mp4)
• Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Information Brochure
• I-39 Phase 1 Report Volume 1 (pdf)
• I-39 Phase 1 Report Volume 2 (pdf)
• Traffic Noise Analysis

Study Documents

Project documents will be posted to the website throughout the duration of this project study. These documents may include draft and final reports, study area maps, presentations, and communication pieces such as FAQs, glossary of terms, and project photos and graphics.

Meetings

View the Jan. 18, 2023 Online Public Information Meeting

Press Releases

Press releases will be posted to this site as they become available.

FAQ

What is the purpose of this project?

Improve operating conditions at interchanges within the project corridor, reduce congestion, and provide geometric modifications that improve safety and provide continuity with adjacent roadway segments.

What are the biggest benefits of the project?

• To improve capacity and operation by providing 3 through lanes on I-39 plus auxiliary lanes.
• Providing two northbound and two southbound ramps configured to a 70 m.p.h. design speed at the I-39/U.S. 20 system interchange.
• Eliminating low speed loop ramps at the Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20 interchange.
• To improve safety by eliminating substandard interchange ramps at both interchanges.
• To improve deteriorated roadway conditions with new pavement.

What is the estimated completion date of the overall project?

The project is expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2027.

Are there any roadway closures planned for this project?

• Perryville Road, Mulford Road, and Linden Road will be closed at various phases to construct the new bridges.  Detours will be provided.  Perryville and Mulford will not be closed at the same time. 
• At least 2 lanes in each direction will be open on I-39/U.S. 20 mainline and Harrison Avenue during daytime hours. Occasional nighttime lane closures may be implemented.
• All ramp movement will be maintained in both interchanges.

Are there any major milestones over the course of the project?
(Estimated milestone dates are listed below, and subject to change)

• Perryville Road pavement and bridges completion dates are anticipated at the end of 2023.
• System Interchange pavement and bridge completion dates are anticipated at the end of 2024. This includes Mulford Road and Linden Road.
• Harrison Avenue DDI pavement and bridges completion dates are anticipated at the end of 2025.
• Mill Road and the Kishwaukee River Bridge completion dates are anticipated at the end of 2026.
• Mainline I-39 pavement and bridges completion dates are anticipated at the end of 2027.
• Noise wall completion dates are anticipated by the end of 2027.

How will the project affect my regular commute?

• Detours will be provided for the closures of Perryville Road, Mulford Road, and Linden Road.
• Daytime lane closures are not anticipated on I-39/U.S. 20 mainline or Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20.
• All ramp movements will be maintained.
• Delays may be encountered due to traffic slowdowns in work zones.

Will there be noise walls and where will they be located?

The existing noise wall southeast of the System Interchange will be replaced in kind. Potential construction of new noise wall along segments of I-39 will be discussed at a public meeting on Jan. 18, 2023. 

Additionally, the center of I-39 will be shifted westerly from Mulford Road to Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20 so that the new added lanes will not be closer to the homes east of the corridor.

Why are trees being removed?

Tree removal is necessary to make way for the widened pavement that will meet updated geometric standards, providing safer travel.

How will stormwater runoff be addressed?

Detention ponds will be added to reduce stormwater runoff where feasible.

Get Involved

January 18, 2023 Public Meeting

• View the Jan. 18, 2023 Online Public Information Meeting
• Phase II Public Meeting Responses

As the project progresses, we will update this website to ensure you are kept informed. The study team is interested in hearing your ideas and opinions.

Additional information regarding this meeting will be provided on this website as it becomes available. If you have questions or comments about the project, please use this link (dot.d2.projects@illinois.gov) to submit them to the project team.

Comments can also be submitted via mail to:

Region Two Engineer
Attn: Studies and Plans C#64C62
Illinois Department of Transportation
819 Depot Ave.
Dixon, IL 61021-3500