New interchange opens at I-39 and U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue

CHERRY VALLEY – The Illinois Department of Transportation was joined today by local officials and community leaders to announce the completion of a new diverging diamond interchange between Interstate 39 and U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue in Cherry Valley. The $44.2 million project is part of a larger $302.4 million, multiyear effort 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.

“In every corner of the state, Rebuild Illinois is supporting critical investments in roads like I-39. Thanks to this key project, travelers and freight carriers will have access to a safer, more efficient interchange,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Improving our roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure is crucial to the future of Illinois, and our historic capital investments put Illinoisans to work on projects that support economic growth and help the whole state thrive.”

The project consisted of converting the interchange from a cloverleaf to a diverging diamond design over two construction seasons. It also rebuilt U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue from Mill Road to South Mall Drive, including the reconstruction of the Harrison Avenue and South Mall Drive intersection. ​ More than 50,000 vehicles a day on average use this section of I-39, nearly 15,000 of which are trucks.

Other project components include a bike-and-pedestrian path along U.S. 20 and Harrison Avenue that connects to the Cherry Valley Path and the Rockford regional trail system, as well as new, more efficient lighting throughout the interchange.

With all ramps complete, the new interchange allows for better flow to I-39 and on U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue compared to a conventional cloverleaf interchange, making it safer by reducing potential collision points and improving access to and from the interstate.

“The diverging diamond is one of the top innovations in traffic design and engineering in the last decade,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We’re proud to open the latest one for Illinois in Cherry Valley, delivering a major safety improvement while creating economic opportunity along one of the state’s key travel and freight corridors.”

With its opening, there are now eight diverging diamond interchanges in Illinois. The first opened in 2015 at I-57 and The Hill Avenue in Marion.

The design essentially routes vehicles temporarily to the opposite side of U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue and eliminates left turns across traffic entering and exiting I-39. Diverging diamonds have helped to cut the number of crashes in half in some locations. Another diverging diamond interchange is currently under construction at I-39 and Illinois 38 in Rochelle. One more is in the planning stages for I-74 and Illinois 5 (John Deere Road) in Moline.

The public can still expect occasional lane closures on U.S. 20 and Harrison Avenue as work continues until next spring installing traffic signals, paving and other punch list items.

The interchange is the third of five major projects in the reconstruction of I-39 from Blackhawk Road to I-90. The first, a $7.9 million replacement of the Perryville Road bridge over I-39, was finished in 2023. The second, a $98.8 million reconstruction of the I-39 and U.S. 20 interchange, opened in 2024 and included realigning northbound and southbound I-39 ramps to U.S. 20, adding lanes and building several new bridges, including Mulford Road, to accommodate the new lanes.

Also, a $125.9 million project is underway to expand I-39 from four to six lanes with an accessory lane between Mulford Road and Harrison Avenue and replace several bridges in the corridor. This project will be done in several stages before wrapping up in late 2028, with two lanes open in both directions at all times.

The final project is an expansion of U.S. 20 from four to six lanes at the intersection of Mill Road and replacement of the bridges crossing the Kishwaukee River. This $25.5 million project is expected to be let for bid in 2026 and be completed in 2028.

More information is available on the project webpage, rebuildi39.com.

The public should expect delays and 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.

“The economic growth of Illinois and the Rockford area is directly linked to the quality of our transportation systems,” said state Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “I’m proud to have helped achieve a historic level of investment in our state’s public infrastructure — from roads to passenger rail to bike paths. The state-of-the-art interchange redesign as part of the larger reconstruction of I-39 is a key improvement to an important travel corridor.”

“The completion of the diverging diamond interchange at I-39 in Rockford and Cherry Valley marks an important milestone for our region and for the entire state of Illinois,” said state Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford). “This investment in our infrastructure will improve safety, enhance traffic flow and strengthen our local economy for years to come. Thank you to IDOT for a well-done job on this project and to all labor workers for their everyday commitment to this project. The completion supports both the needs of our residents and the growth of northern Illinois.”

“I am proud to be a supporter of Gov. Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, which has allowed us to make historic investments in infrastructure across our state, particularly right here in the Rockford region,” said state Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). “This major upgrade to the I-39 interchange enhances a vital transportation corridor, which serves to make our community more inviting to visitors and will further uplift local industries that rely on strong transportation networks to thrive.”

“In the last several years, the northern Illinois area has continued to grow in residential growth, the number of businesses, in manufacturing and in visitors as well,” said Cherry Valley Village President David Schroeder. “The village of Cherry Valley and all our neighboring communities in northern Illinois recognize the need for quality, safe roads and are pleased that the Illinois Department of Transportation continues making our roads safer for public use and for the transportation of goods throughout the northern Illinois Area.”

“The opening of the new interchange marks a major milestone for our region,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “This project improves safety and traffic flow, as well as strengthens commerce by making it easier for businesses to connect with customers and suppliers. We’re deeply appreciative to the state of Illinois for this significant and meaningful investment in our community.”

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, including $2.4 billion in investments just in the area that includes northwest Illinois and the Rockford area.

Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing a total of $45 billion over six years into the state’s aging infrastructure, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. 

Accomplishments through Year Six of Rebuild Illinois: Almost $20.8 billion of improvements statewide on 7,897 miles of highway, 815 bridges and 1,181 additional safety improvements, including several major projects in the Rockford area.

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.