The Winnebago County Highway Department announced on April 6 that culverts will be replaced on Rockton Avenue at the intersection with Gleasman Road, with work scheduled to start on April 20 and expected to finish by May 8. The duration of the project may change depending on weather conditions.
This roadwork will close Rockton Avenue to thru traffic on both sides of Gleasman Road. However, Gleasman Road itself will remain open but may be reduced to one lane at times. Local traffic within the construction area will still have access. The department advises drivers to consider alternate routes and exercise caution in construction zones.
While transportation infrastructure is being updated, Winnebago County’s educational landscape also reflects significant statistics from recent years. The average student-to-teacher ratio in county schools was reported as 16-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with a total enrollment of 42,873 students and 2,747 full-time faculty members according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Teacher absenteeism in Winnebago County schools stood at 28.9% for that period, which is lower than the statewide average of 35.6% according to state data.
Among local schools, Hononegah High School had the highest number of white students enrolled (1,457), Harlem High School led in multiracial student enrollment (138), Jefferson High School had the largest Hispanic student population (1,091), and Auburn High School recorded the highest number of Black students (679) during the same academic year according to education reports.
Residents are encouraged by officials to plan ahead for travel disruptions while this infrastructure project takes place.
