CBS4 RTV4 WHBF Quad Cities, IL / IA News Weather SportsNew I-74 Bridge Plan Chosen
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by Kyle Mounce
QUAD CITIES - The bridge connecting Illinois and Iowa is a focal point of the Quad City area. Now we have a better idea of what it could look like in about ten years.
Building a new Interstate 74 bridge has been many years in the making, and there has been a lot of input into what the new structure should look like.
On Tuesday, Department of Transportation officials announced the true arch twin bridges, or 'basket design,' will replace the current suspension bridges.
In May, Quad Citians got a change to vote on their favorite design and the true arch won out.
Officials say the new bridge design is the best option for many reason. For example, like the bridge currently in place, the new structure will actually be two bridge instead of one.
This means if something happens to one bridge, the other would still be standing. When construction begins, of course everyone wants to know how it will affect their commute.
"We have developed our maintenance of traffic concepts with the objectives of keeping the existing two travel lanes in each direction across the Mississippi River open at all times," said Project Manager Lidia Pilecky.
Pilecky adds that there will be some restrictions and ramp closures throughout the project. There is still a question of when construction can begin due to funding issues.
The new bridge carries an estimated $650 million price tag. Once the money is in place, she says the remaining portions of the project should take about nine years.
