Work resumes at I-39 and U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue in Cherry Valley

ROCKFORD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that work will resume today to reconstruct the interchange of Interstate 39 and U.S. 20 and Harrison Avenue in Cherry Valley. The $44.2 million interchange project is part of a larger $302 million, multiyear project made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program to improve I-39 between the U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange and Blackhawk Road in Cherry Valley and Rockford.

Lane shifts on Harrison Avenue and U.S. 20 between Mall Drive and Mill Road will be implemented in order to update the pavement marking needed to convert the interchange traffic pattern from a cloverleaf interchange to a diverging diamond interchange. The conversion is anticipated to be complete by early April.

Once the new traffic pattern is in place the following ramps will be closed:

Once the interchange is converted into the diverging diamond interchange configuration both eastbound and westbound traffic will shift to the opposite side of the road and back via signalized crossovers. Access to northbound and southbound I-39 will temporarily be maintained via protected left turns at the signalized intersection as well.

The majority of the project is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year, with some final touch-up work to be completed in spring 2026. More information about the I-39 reconstruction project is available on the project webpage.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Five of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $16 billion of improvements statewide on 6,541 miles of highway, 686 bridges and 986 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.