Gov. JB Pritzker talks about infrastructure improvements in Rockford, including the resurfacing of Alpine Road, during a news conference on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Forest City Church. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — One of the city’s busiest and bumpiest roads will get an upgrade this summer.

Gov. JB Pritzker was in town Thursday with a host of local and state dignitaries to formerly announce plans to resurface and repair South Alpine Road in both the short and long term.

The project is a “critical milestone on the path to revitalizing the corridor stretching from U.S. 20 to Charles Street,” Pritzker said during a news conference at Forest City Church on Alpine Road. “That construction is on track to be completed this year, making it easier for folks to go about their lives, whether it’s grabbing groceries or visiting with friends or their family or attending their chosen house of worship like right here at Forest City Church.”

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Alpine is the third-busiest roadway in the city, but it ranks as the worst pavement condition of any major arterial roadway, Mayor Tom McNamara said. Tens of thousands of vehicles travel Alpine each day, including 24,000 between Newburg Road and Harrison alone, according to Illinois Department of Transportation stats.

Alpine road is under the jurisdiction of the state, but it’s a common source of complaints for Rockford residents.

“Any elected official at any local level of government knows one of the biggest complaints we get are the roads,” state Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Loves Park, said at the news conference. “You can explain it’s a city road, it’s a township road, or a state road and people don’t care. They don’t want to hear about it, they just want the roads fixed.”

The state has committed $1.5 million to resurface Alpine between Charles Street and Harrison Avenue starting this spring. It’s providing an additional $5 million to rebuild Alpine from Charles to Linden Road. That work would happen toward the end of the city’s five-year capital plan in 2028.

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Once the roadway is complete it will be transferred to the city’s jurisdiction with the exception of the bridges that would remain under state control.

“When it comes to Alpine Road, which has several jurisdictions, it gets confusing and fingers can start flying both ways,” Stadelman said. “But this is a perfect example of governments working together, coming up with the greatest solution to help solve the problem and benefit the taxpayers and, especially, the motorists as well.”

Traffic moves along South Alpine Road on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in Rockford. The road between Charles Street and Linden Road will be fully reconstructed starting in 2028 under the city’s new capital plan. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

The city already patches potholes and plows the road, said Kyle Saunders, the city’s director of public works. He said the city should save on maintenance costs after the state pays for the initial repairs, then it will build future repairs into its long-term capital plans.

Saunders said the city will make a life-cycle cost analysis to determine the best and most cost-effective construction plan. For example, the city opted to rebuild Charles Street with concrete rather than asphalt because its analysis showed that would save money in the long run.

He said that while the city will inherit long-term maintenance costs with the road under its jurisdiction, they believe this will be the most cost-effective approach for local taxpayers.

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Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said that he drove down Alpine on his way into town and it was evident the roadway needed “tender loving care.”

“We have been working very hard to make a difference here in Rockford. Alpine Road is just another example,” Osman said. “I look forward to coming back here and seeing a vibrant corridor supporting all kinds of traffic, including bicycles, pedestrians and transit.”

Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman discusses Alpine Road reconstruction on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, during a news conference at Forest City Church. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Pritzker said that Rebuild Illinois, which includes $33.2 billion in transportation spending over six years, has already spurred several construction projects in Rockford.

That includes the $6.6 million rebuild of East State Street from Mid America Drive to Buckley Drive, a $12.4 million resurfacing of U.S. 20 from Winnebago to South Main Street and the $1.3 million deck overlay of the Interstate 39 bridges over the Kishwaukee River.

In the fall, the state finished the third phase of a $6.5 million improvement to West State Street that added lanes, storm sewers, sidewalk, lights and a multiuse path.

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There is also a $227 million project to expand Interstate 39 between Harrison Avenue and Blackhawk Road, including the west interchange with U.S. 20 in Cherry Valley. That project is expected to start next year.

Rebuild Illinois also includes $275 million to bring passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford.

“Each of these projects is about doing what government is supposed to do, and that’s invest in the people we serve,” Pritzker said. “Up and down the Rockford region we’re restoring and rebuilding and creating jobs and making sure that working families have the opportunities and resources that they need to build good lives for themselves.

“And I can promise you this: We’ll be back with more.”


This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas