Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have announced the commencement of the Perryville Road bridge replacement project in Rockford. This marks the beginning of a significant infrastructure initiative under the Rebuild Illinois capital program, aimed at modernizing Interstate 39 between Harrison Avenue and Blackhawk Road.

"Today, I couldn't be prouder to announce an $8 million investment to fully replace the Perryville Road Bridge — marking the beginning of our massive $300 million undertaking to transform I-39," said Governor JB Pritzker. "With construction well underway, the new Perryville Bridge will be safer and more efficient for Illinois motorists and pedestrians travelling along this corridor."

The existing bridge, built in the 1960s, carries nearly 8,000 vehicles daily and is considered outdated. The replacement will feature a longer structure to support upcoming expansions on I-39. The overall reconstruction plan includes widening the interstate with additional lanes and converting key interchanges to improve traffic flow.

State Senator Dave Syverson highlighted the project's significance: "Investing in capital improvement helps move our State and this community forward. This interchange is one of the busiest transportation arteries in Illinois." Meanwhile, State Rep. Dave Vella emphasized its economic benefits: "Widening the Perryville bridge to accommodate eight lanes of traffic will be a boon to the local economy by speeding Rockford workers' commutes."

The broader Rebuild Illinois initiative is set to deliver numerous improvements across various transportation modes over six years, with IDOT planning enhancements on over 2,500 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck.

"In every region of our state, Rebuild Illinois is delivering transformational projects that are improving local quality of life," stated Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman.