Some of Rockford's worst roads must wait years before getting repaired. Here's why

ROCKFORD - Pavement condition is a primary factor in determining which road projects city officials prioritize for construction, but it is far from the only factor.

Often tough decisions must be made on how to spend limited construction dollars, City Engineer Timothy Hinkens said.

"Our goal is to get the largest public benefit for each sales tax dollar we spend," Hinkens said.

Among the considerations in addition to pavement condition is whether the city has enough money for a particular project, the number of vehicles that use a road on a daily basis, eligibility for state and federal investment, economic development potential and the condition of underground utilities.

Rockford's worst roads: Which ones made top of the list, and what's the city's plan?

This year's $129 million five-year Capital Improvement Program was designed to spend less in 2021, 2022 so more money could put toward big, transformative projects in 2023 through 2026.

Those include the long-sought $14 million Whitman Street interchange project and the $5.8 million 11th Street corridor project, seen as critical for protecting pedestrians. Both are slated for construction in 2025.

But prioritizing those projects means other roads like 9th Street from Brooke to Sandy Hollow road or 15th Avenue from the river to 11th Street — that have arguably worse pavement conditions with bumps, potholes and cracks — could wait years for enough funds to become available.

Neither of those projects is funded in the current five-year plan.

So what is getting done?

Big projects are on-going.

They are benefitting from state and federal grants, Rebuild Illinois funding and city infrastructure dollars. And they are in addition to Rockford's annual $5.5 million residential road and alley resurfacing program. More than 100 neighborhood streets a year are resurfaced under the program.

Highlights of on-going projects include the $16.7 million Illinois Department of Transportation led reconstruction of West State Street which includes a $400,000 city match for sidewalks, a multiuse path and lighting.

It includes the $2.8 million replacement of the 20th Street Bridge over U.S. 20. With millions in state funding pouring into the project, Rockford is investing $100,000 for a multiuse path, providing a major connection in future bike path plans.

"It's a lot cheaper to install a multiuse path on the bridge now while Illinois is constructing it instead of adding it years later," Hinkens said.   

Rockford relies on a 1% sales tax to fund most of its investment in city infrastructure, roads, bridges, storm water facilities and more, producing roughly $15 million a year. Officials utilize that pot of money to leverage millions more in state and federal construction funds that require local matches.

The sales tax in 2008 replaced borrowing to pay for infrastructure repair and maintenance. It saves taxpayers about $2.5 million a year in interest payments. Voters renewed the tax for five more years in February.

Jeff Kolkey: jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey