Illinois, Iowa officials hold groundbreaking for I-74 Bridge Reconstruction Project

Updated Jun 29, 2017
(Illinois DOT)(Illinois DOT)

The governors of Iowa and Illinois, along with other officials from both states, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony launching the Interstate 74 Mississippi River Bridge reconstruction project, which will take more than three years to complete.

“Working together, our states and communities will build a modern, state-of-the-art project that showcases the quality of our workforce and creates economic opportunity for generations to come,” says Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. “We are building more than just a bridge, but a vital piece of the country’s transportation network that will promote commerce throughout the Midwest.”

Because the I-74 corridor is shared jurisdiction, the Iowa Department of Transportation is the lead agency for the bridge construction project and corresponding projects within Iowa, and the Illinois Department of Transportation is a partner in the bridge project and the lead agency for the related projects within Illinois.

“The Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation, along with their design partners, have come up with a plan for a safe, modern and visually spectacular structure that will replace two aging bridges that date back 82 years,” says Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. “This new bridge will serve as a vital east-west link for the Midwest and help both states improve their regional and global options for moving goods.”

Construction of the $1.2 billion project is set to start this summer, and is expected to be completed in 2021. Pedestrian and bike paths will be added to the project to connect to existing local paths. Officials expect the bridge reconstruction will help improve travel on I-74 between 53rd Street in Davenport, Iowa, and Avenue of the Cities in Moline, Illinois.