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Posted: 6:10 PM Aug 3, 2009
Rockford Road Construction
We all know summers in Rockford are synonymous with road construction. 23 News reporter Adam Behrman takes a look at some of the big projects the city is working on.
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2 Comments 
Rockford's roads are getting better, one summer at a time.
"We have a whole host of projects that we've put into action this year. We're doing Rockton Avenue north of Riverside. We're doing Auburn. We just did the Whitman Ridge intersection. We've done over 60 blocks of residential streets." says Patrick Zuroske, Rockford's Capital Program Manager.
One of those residential streets is Clinton, currently being redone with bricks to match the historical feel of this old neighborhood. Project engineer Rosario Tarara says bricks cost more money than asphalt, but they last longer.
"It's a very nice project. You keep the old homes with the old style. To me, I come from Italy so I love to see something preserved." says Tarara.
Most of the funding for these citywide projects comes from the one cent sales tax we passed in 2007, the rest comes from gas taxes, which ironically we waste more of waiting in construction related traffic.
Construction has been responsible for traffic delays all across the city all summer long, but city leaders tell us that most projects should be completed by the end of this month.
"I think we've done a very good job in getting the biggest bang for our dollars this year. I think it's been a very good year for us." adds Zuroske.
Rockford has about sixty road projects they are working on this summer, and they hope to do even more next summer once the stimulus dollars kick in.
Patrick Zuroske says many projects are ahead of schedule because of good planning and because the city passed their capital plan early. In addition, there have been very few weather delays this season.
What follows is a list of construction projects across the city and when they are expected to be completed.
Auburn Street from Rockton to Huffman
-end of August
Ridge Avenue and Whitman Street intersection
-almost finished
Rockton Avenue from City View Dr. to Embury Dr.
-end of August
Clinton Street from Camlin to Cottage Grove
-end of August
20th St from Charles St to Broadway
-early Autumn
Downtown Streetscape (Main Street)
-end of October
Latest Comments
Could someone please tell me why is it that some roads that are very bad are not getting fixed? Like now that Whitman St. is getting done why didn't they continue on to 6th St? I can't understand how the city can not see how bad it is and let it go on like that? What is really going on? What good is fixing the "Downtown dreamscape"(N.Main and it wasn't that bad), when you have to cross the Whitman st. bridge and drive on a car-killer road?!!!!! How long is it gonna be like this? Why are you fixing roads that don't really need to be fixed right now, instead of fixing the roads that really, really need fixing? Who's the smart boss?
it's about time the city puts money to good use
