Record high infrastructure projects

Driving through the city of Rockford right now, you will witness a dizzying amount of roadwork. That’s because investment in our infrastructure—starting with Rockford’s streets, sidewalks, sewers and water mains, bridges, and bike paths—is at a record high.

A look at the interactive map of Capital Improvement Projects on the city’s website shows a total of 64 projects in progress. By July, for summer work alone, $97 million in construction contracts will be awarded for projects ranging from large reconstruction jobs to the resurfacing of heavily trafficked corridors. This is the latest and largest investment in road improvements since 2021.

Rockford is outpacing many Illinois cities in road construction, thanks in large part to the 1% infrastructure sales tax that generates approximately $16 million annually. With this revenue, Rockford has secured state and federal grants for larger infrastructure projects by showing we have skin in the game when it comes to funding better roads.

That level of infrastructure investment is vital to supporting a thriving visitor economy. Rockford continues to win the attention of travel journalists and their audiences—not by mimicking other destinations but by offering something distinctly its own. We may not be defined by labels like capital city, university town, or coastal getaway, but our community has built a compelling collection of high-value tourism assets that stand out on their own merit. And well-maintained, easy-to-navigate roads and public infrastructure play a key role in that success. They create a strong first impression, help visitors move comfortably and confidently throughout the city, and encourage them to stay longer and explore more.

In recent years, several major attractions and venues have been added to Rockford’s tourism mix. The UW Health Sports Factory, opened in 2016 along the downtown riverfront, has become one of the Midwest’s premier indoor sports facilities. Prairie Street Brewhouse, opened in 2013, has become one of the city’s premier dining and entertainment venues. In 2020, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront opened in another beautifully restored historic building, bringing a four-star hotel to the heart of downtown. Most recently, the Hard Rock Casino Rockford opened in 2024 and quickly became one of the top three casinos in Illinois for both revenue and visitation.

A city’s gateways, particularly to its downtown assets, lay the groundwork for attracting further economic development and visitation. This summer alone, there will be two major infrastructure projects downtown, one on each side of the river.

On the east side of the river, a $6.6 million project will reconstruct Madison Street, transforming a major gateway to Prairie Street Brewhouse and Nicholas Conservatory. The work, which begins this month (May), will include resurfacing, improvement of the railroad tracks in the middle of the street, burial of electrical lines, replacement of a century-old water main, new sidewalks, bike lanes, light poles, and streetscape beautification.

On the west side of the Rock River, a $10.5 million project will modernize Davis Park (represented in the images with this article). Work is starting this summer and will include such improvements as a concert pavilion, a skate park, a riverfront recreation path, a playground, and a freestanding concession stand with restrooms. This development aligns with Thrive 2035, the Destination Master Plan we rolled out last fall. Upon completion, which is expected in summer of 2026, the Davis Park project will bring new foot traffic to the South Main Street corridor transformed by the Embassy Suites hotel.

Work on an even larger infrastructure investment downtown is expected to start in the fall. A $22.5 million project will revitalize a 1.25-mile portion of Chestnut Street as it crosses its namesake bridge and turns into Walnut Street and First Avenue on the east side of the river. The project will include resurfacing, sidewalk improvements, addition of a bicycle lane, decorative lighting, and purchase of three electric buses to circulate around downtown—efficiently moving visitors and residents between downtown attractions and businesses.

Together, all three of these projects will make navigating downtown easier whether you drive, walk, bike, or ride a bus.

In every community, road quality is a hot topic. As I travel throughout Illinois and to other mid-sized cities across the country, I always return home with a new appreciation for the quality of Rockford’s roads. Our investment shows, and it’s helping drive our city’s momentum forward.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce.