U.S. Business 20 provides a direct connection to Interstate 90 (Jane Addams Memorial Tollway), via Genoa Road, with Belvidere and a mix of residential and shopping areas, nearby communities, and the Boone County Fairgrounds. The route bypasses Belvidere to the east and north before continuing west to Rockford on State Street. The 4.5-mile route also provides a connection with Illinois 76, which carries traffic to and from northern Boone County and Wisconsin.

 

The bypass has 2, 3 and 4 lane sections throughout its route. The existing pavement surface is generally in fair condition with typical transverse and longitudinal cracking present that deteriorates to a dendritic crack.  The underlying pavement is generally in fair condition with some spalling at transverse joints.  The pavement is 40-foot hinge jointed pavement which tends to exhibit mid panel transverse cracks.  Because of the fair condition of both the surface and underlying pavement, resurfacing of the existing pavement will be done outside the areas that will be widened with new pavement for the additional lanes. 

 

Planned improvements include:

 

• Resurfacing from State Street/Appleton Road to Illinois 76.

• Reconstructing the bypass from 2 to 4 lanes from Illinois 76 east to Logan Avenue.

• Reconstructing the bypass from 3 to 5 lanes between Logan Avenue to U.S. 20.

• Rehabilitating or reconstructing the Poplar Grove Bridge. 

• Construction of a new eastbound bridge over the Kishwaukee River.

• Resurfacing existing lanes within the corridor.

• Construction of a multi-use path or other bicycle/pedestrian accommodation through the corridor.