ROCHELLE — The Illinois Department of Transportation has accepted a low bid of $4,668,879.45 from McCarthy Improvement Company out of Davenport, Iowa, for the City of Rochelle Transload Yard and Railroad Extension project, located east of Steward Road. The bid, roughly 24% below the engineering estimate, was one of two submitted for the project, which is being funded primarily through approximately 80% federal and state grants, with support from City of Rochelle Railroad funds. The project, approved by Rochelle City Council on March 10, 2025, includes concrete paving, storm sewers, a railroad extension, mass grading and a new triple cell box culvert across a half-mile stretch. Construction is expected to begin in July and reach substantial completion by the end of November.
