Capital plan finally signed into law

More than $400 million from state is coming to Winnebago County.

By Thomas V. Bona

BusinessRockford.com

After years of frustration awaiting a state capital construction plan, local officials may now begin buying land and designing major road projects after Gov. Pat Quinn finally signed the plan into law today.

“I’ve got to make sure I’m awake,” joked Scott Christiansen, chairman of the Winnebago County Board. “Am I dreaming or did we finally get to this day?”

In total, the county is getting $234 million for major road work, out of more than $400 million in capital funds coming here.

Construction isn’t expected to start for at least 12 to 18 months — and in some cases a few years — because most preliminary work will be paid for by the capital plan, said Kris Tobin, programming engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

All projects will likely take two construction seasons because the roads won’t be closed.

Illinois 173 between Illinois 251 and Interstate 90 ($65.9 million): Work on rebuilding the intersection of 173 and 251 could start in 12 to 18 months, though widening to two lanes in each direction won’t start for two or three years.

Interstate 90 from Rockton Road to the Wisconsin state line ($52 million): Widening the road to three lanes in each direction will likely start in two to two-and-a-half years.

Illinois 2 (North Main Street) between Auburn Street and Riverside Boulevard, including a roundabout at Auburn ($47.9 million): The roundabout is likely two or three years away, while the rest could take longer. All projects in the plan, though, are expected to be done by 2014.

Illinois 2 between Latham and Elmwood roads ($39.7 million): Building a new four-lane expressway could start in 12 to 18 months.

Illinois 2 (South Main Street) between Pond and Cedar streets and between Belt Line Road and Harrison Avenue ($28.9 million): Work on rebuilding the road and widening it in several places will likely start in two to three years.

Staff writer Thomas V. Bona may be contacted at 815-987-1343 or tbona@rrstar.com.