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View the Jan. 18, 2023 Online Public Information Meeting!
Upon completion of the Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study, which received design approval on January 14, 2019, The Illinois Department of Transportation has initiated Phase II engineering design and planning for the proposed reconstruction of Interstate 39. The project is in Winnebago County, south and east of Rockford and in Cherry Valley.
The improvements anticipated within the corridor are extensive and IDOT is committed to providing the public with transparent and informative communication throughout the project’s progression. This website has been created to provide information to the public about the project as the design develops, and to facilitate public input by providing a means to ask questions or comment on the project.
A Phase II virtual public information meeting is tentatively planned for January 18, 2023. The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public with updates on project status, and any design revisions that have taken place since Phase I design approval.
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.
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:
Scope
From the completed Phase I study, three specific sections of the corridor were recommended for reconstruction. They include:
Along with those major typical sections of redesign and reconstruction, the scope of the project also includes the following related reconstruction projects:
Study
IDOT projects typically have three distinct phases.
Phase I (Project Study)
Phase II (Design)
Phase III (Construction)
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:
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):
Timeline
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023 and conclude at the end of 2027.
Additional information including project documents and displays will be added to this tab as they become available.
Helpful Materials
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
Phase II Public Meeting Responses
Press Releases
Press releases will be posted to this site as they become available.
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?
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?
Are there any major milestones over the course of the project?
(Estimated milestone dates are listed below, and subject to change)
How will the project affect my regular commute?
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.
January 18, 2023 Public Meeting
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
Illinois Department of Transportation
Hanley Building
2300 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62764
(217) 782-7820 or TTY (866) 273-3681