If you’ve ever driven down a road and thought, “Wait…didn’t this used to have more lanes?” Congratulations, you likely just experienced a “road diet” that is quickly gaining popularity throughout Illinois.
What is a Road Diet?
Most people don’t have warm, rosy thoughts when they hear the word “diet”, and hearing it combined with the word “road” is definitely not something I had on my 2026 Bingo card, but here we are.
The Federal Highway Administration defines a “road diet” as a roadway reconfiguration that “can improve safety, calm traffic, provide better mobility and access for all road users, and enhance overall quality of life.”
The purpose of most diets is to get skinnier, right? Well, that is exactly what is happening to two major streets in Rockford right now.
“Road Diets” in Rockford
2026 will be one of the biggest construction seasons yet for Rockford, specifically for Auburn and 11th Streets…