New Illinois 2 bridges over Rock River in Rockton are done
The rest of the project is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
On the last day of the year, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that replacement of the Illinois 2 bridges over the Rock River in Rockton is complete.
While the new bridges are complete, the project is not. Workers are still demolishing the temporary tramway and resurfacing the road before the bridges. All work is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
The $25.3 million project, part of the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, allows for heavier vehicles to utilize the bridge. The previous bridges, built in 1965, only had a weight limit of 26 tons for a single vehicle and 40 tons for a combination vehicle.
The bridges are part of a corridor connecting the communities of Rockford, Rockton, South Beloit and Beloit. Work began in early 2024 by employing an innovative method to demolish and construct the new structures by moving the southbound bridge to the median to serve as a tramway.
The new bridges feature shoulders, and the southbound bridge has accommodations for a future multiuse path, including non-motorized traffic such as bicycles and joggers.
