Fehr Graham helps secure $2 million grant to renovate Madison Street in Rockford

Fehr Graham, a leading Midwest engineering and environmental firm, helped the City of Rockford secure a $2 million grant to fund Phase II of the Madison Street streetscape improvements, a major corridor through the City's River District.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the grant during an April 22 meeting with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and local leaders. This grant is part of $30 million in state-funded awards for 25 projects across Illinois

This grant was secured in addition to a $2.1 million Rebuild Illinois grant the City received in 2022, which Fehr Graham also helped secure. That grant supported Phase I improvements, which included reconstructing century-old water lines, relocating storm sewer and utilities and adding a bicycle lane and pedestrian path from East State Street to Prairie Street.

Phase II improvements will continue on Madison Street from Prairie Street to Y Boulevard. Plans include reconstructing the roadway, replacing a more than 100-year-old water main, relocating sanitary sewer and overhead utilities and building a traversable median to separate the railroad tracks from the roadway. The project also includes updated sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, traffic-calming features and streetscape enhancements like specialty paving, street trees and furnishings.

The improvements aim to boost pedestrian and cyclist safety, create an attractive public space and connect downtown Rockford to a major arterial road. The updated design will reflect the downtown streetscape aesthetic, helping promote the City's quality of life and economic development goals.

The grant was awarded through the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets (RDMS) program, which provides $20 million in funding, and the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) program, which provided an additional $10 million. Both programs support revitalizing commercial corridors and downtowns across Illinois.