Led by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the U.S. 20/Illinois 84 reconstruction in Galena addressed a critical transportation need while preserving the character of one of Illinois’ top cultural and tourist destinations. The $31.5 million project improved safety and infrastructure with a smoother road surface, left-turn lanes to reduce rear-end crashes, and a new storm sewer system to prevent flooding. The distinctive, red-colored pavement was developed in collaboration with preservation and city officials to reflect Galena’s historic charm, following State Historic Preservation Office guidelines. To promote walkability and align with Illinois’s “Complete Streets” initiative, a new sidewalk and path were added, connecting the hilltop business district to the historic downtown. This path links to the Galena River Trailhead, which runs nearly 7 miles through the 18-acre Buehler Preserve and along the Galena and Mississippi rivers near Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort. The trail is popular with bikers, hikers, and dog walkers. Kayakers also frequent the river, with a boat launch located at the trailhead. One new business, Nuts Outdoors, has already set up along the corridor, offering rentals for electric bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards. The project was made possible through Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program. Additional funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act played a key role in keeping this and other capital projects across the state on track by strengthening Illinois DOT’s planning and programming efforts.