Chris Green
Rockford Register Star
Published 5:07 a.m. CT March 13, 2023
The expanding General Mills distribution center will bring 75 to 110 jobs and semi trucks — a lot of semi trucks.
"There will be 1,700 trucks per day in and out of there," Mayor Clint Morris said.
To accommodate the anticipated parade of 18-wheelers, Irene Road at U.S. 20 going north will undergo a $1.2 million reconfiguration this year to remove two 90-degree turns that make the road tricky to navigate, especially for large vehicles.
Morris said straightening out Irene Road from U.S. 20 to Newburg Road will help General Mills and the city when it comes to luring other developments to the industrial site.
"It means everything to us to be able to finally meet the needs of any additional traffic regarding economic development there," he said.
Sen. Steve Stadelman and Rep. Dave Vella secured $700,000 in state funds toward the $1.2 million Irene Road project, which includes water and sewer improvements.
The Illinois Tollway Authority opened the door to economic development on the outskirts of the city when in December 2015, the Authority completed the $13 million Irene Road Interchange Project.
The project included constructing new ramps to carry traffic to and from the west, coupled with the tollway’s reconstruction of the Irene Road bridge that was completed in 2013 and the construction of a new eastbound entrance ramp completed in 2014. The interchange also provides an exit ramp for traffic traveling from westbound I-90 to Irene Road.
This year's Irene Road project is expected to help bring more development particularly to the Kelly Farms subdivision, a 175-acre site, said Growth Dimensions Executive Director Pamela Lopez-Fettes.
Belvidere Public Works Director Brent Anderson said the project will go out to bid on April 4 and construction is expected to start in mid May.
Meanwhile, construction of the 1.3 million-square-foot General Mills distribution center is underway and is expected to open this fall.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
