The Illinois Department of Transportation has started a multiyear project to improve Interstate 39 between Mulford Road and Harrison Avenue in Cherry Valley.
The project will focus on the stretch between Mulford Road and Harrison Avenue. According to a community announcement, initial work will involve pre-stage widening in both directions of I-39.
During this phase, two lanes will remain open in each direction, with nightly lane closures as needed. The pre-stage construction is expected to be completed by Nov. 21.
The $125.9 million project will resume in spring 2026 with extensive earthwork to rebuild the road and expand I-39 from four to six lanes in each direction, including an accessory lane. Bridges over Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20, the Union Pacific railroad and the Canadian National railroad will be rebuilt and expanded. Throughout the project, two lanes will remain open in both directions, and the work will include multiple stages and traffic shifts. The project is expected to be completed in October 2028.
The I-39 improvement is part of a larger multiyear, $302.4 million initiative funded by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program. This program aims to enhance I-39 between the U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange and Blackhawk Road. A $98.8 million project was completed in 2024, which reconstructed the I-39 and U.S. 20 interchange.
Another significant project is the $44.3 million conversion of the Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20 and I-39 interchange from a cloverleaf to a diverging diamond design. Construction began in 2024, and the majority of the work is scheduled to be substantially complete by the end of the year, with some final touch-up work to be finished in spring 2026.
The final project will expand U.S. 20 from four to six lanes at the intersection of Mill Road and replace the bridges crossing the Kishwaukee River in Cherry Valley. All projects are anticipated to conclude by the end of 2028.
For updates on IDOT District 2 projects, residents can follow @IDOTDistrict2 on X or visit the traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: I-39 expansion begins near Cherry Valley with lane closures
Reporting by Abreanna Blose / Rockford Register Star
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