The Illinois Department of Transportation and the city of Dixon were joined today by local officials and community leaders to announce the start of Project ROCK – Revitalizing Opportunities for the Community and Kids. Led by Dixon with assistance from IDOT, the $14 million project will build a new bike and pedestrian bridge across the Rock River and offer connections to new paths and other improvements in Page Park, expanding recreation and mobility options for residents and visitors.
“The new path in Dixon is an investment that improves local quality of life and connects people to the meaningful destinations in their lives,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We are proud of the partnership with Dixon to see this project to fruition, which could not have happened without the support and leadership at the federal, state and local levels. It’s one more example of how we’re working with communities to get things done, every single day, up and down the state.”
Made possible by an $11.9 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant and more than $2 million from the city, with technical and financial oversight provided by IDOT, Project ROCK extends from Viaduct Point across a new bridge built over the Rock River on piers left from the old Illinois Central Railroad, connecting to a system of paths in Page Park.
Once it’s finished next year, the path will connect Dixon’s south side with the city’s riverfront as well as Dixon High School and the park district’s baseball diamonds and tennis courts. The project also includes repairs to Page Drive through the park.