Rockford secures $17M to replace aging 15th Avenue bridge

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Rockford will receive more than $17 million to replace the 15th Avenue bridge, with funding coming from the largest infrastructure spending program in state history.

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced a $50.6 billion funding package on Wednesday.

The funding, made possible by the Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program, will be used for road, bridges, aviation, passenger rail, water, and pedestrian infrastructure over the next six years.

The City said the award of $17 million for the 15th Avenue bridge project was the largest of 1,900 applications.

According to the City, “The 15th Avenue Bridge, built in 1933 with aging foundations, is in poor condition and has an estimated remaining lifespan of just 10 years, yet it serves as a critical connection for two neighborhoods and Rockford’s second-largest fire station, which responds to over 28,000 emergencies annually. Replacement is necessary to ensure safety, sustain emergency response, and improve mobility by incorporating Complete Streets features for pedestrians and cyclists. The project will also enhance infrastructure resiliency, replace aging utilities, and strengthen neighborhood connectivity, providing long-term benefits for safety, sustainability and quality of life.”