Boone County residents asked to help shape future of US Business 20

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is inviting Boone County residents to weigh in on a major infrastructure project that could reshape traffic flow in the region.

An open house public meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Boone County Administration Building to discuss the proposed improvements to the US Business 20 Belvidere Bypass.

Officials say the Belvidere Bypass, or Jim Gang Expressway, has served the region for nearly 50 years, connecting residential neighborhoods, retail centers, and rural areas to I-90 via Genoa Road. But with increasing traffic demands and aging infrastructure, IDOT says the time has come for a comprehensive upgrade.

Planned improvements include reconstructing the stretch between Logan Avenue and Pearl Street from two to three lanes, resurfacing existing routes, and building new parallel bridges over the Kishwaukee River.

The project also includes pedestrian and cyclist safety enhancements, such as sidewalks and multi-use paths where feasible.

The bypass project is currently in Phase II, which involves contract plan preparation and land acquisition. Phase I, which focused on preliminary engineering and environmental studies, has already been completed. Phase III construction is slated for a future date.

Residents can submit comments at the meeting, online at BelvidereBypass.org, or via IDOT’s social media channels. All feedback received by Friday, Nov. 7, will be included in the official project record.