Rockford’s West State Street, also known as U.S. Business 20, serves as the primary access road to the city’s central business district from the west side. The street passes through a low-income neighborhood with a predominantly minority population. The Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Rockford partnered to address the road’s deficiencies; parts of which were built in 1938 and thus nearing the end of their lifecycle. Additionally, the road has aging storm sewers and water mains. The surrounding neighborhood sought to enhance its economic potential by reconstructing and expanding the western access to downtown Rockford. The $6.5 million project includes four lanes with landscaped medians, as well as pedestrian and bike accommodations such as sidewalks and paths. Furthermore, the project incorporates bus turnouts and shelters throughout the corridor, resulting in improved safety, capacity, quality of life, and access to various modes of transportation.
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