Future
The Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation are in the planning stages to build a new bridge to replace the aging I-74 Bridge. The Iowa-bound bridge opened in 1935; the Illinois bridge in 1958. In addition to replacing the bridges, the scope of the bi-state coalition's plan includes updating 7 miles (11 km) of I-74 mainline and interchanges from 53rd Street in Davenport to the Avenue of the Cities in Moline.
In 2005, the Iowa and Illinois DOTs identified the traffic needs of the corridor and found they would be satisfied by a true-arch, tied-arch, or cable-stayed bridge. After public input and consideration of construction costs and aesthetics, the departments of transportation, in August 2006, recommended building two twin, true arch, basket handle bridges. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois has suggested charging a toll upon motorists who use the new bridges to help pay for their construction. However, a 1998 study, which researched all river crossing options to replace the bridges, deemed new tolls were not viable.
In addition to the new river crossing, the mainline of I-74 between 53rd Street in Davenport and the Avenue of the Cities in Moline will be widened from a four-lane freeway to six lanes. Additional lanes will be picked up and dropped in selected locations. In downtown Bettendorf, the connection to US 67 will be simplified. US 67 traffic will be routed in both directions along Grant Street. State and Grant streets are currently a one-way couplet through Bettendorf. A network of ramps and city streets form the interchange as it is now. A full-access interchange will be built in its place at Grant Street.
Construction along the corridor has already begun at the 53rd Street interchange. A cloverleaf ramp is being added in each direction to allow traffic to enter I-74 without making left turns and 53rd Street at this interchange is being widened from four lanes to six. This phase of construction is scheduled to end by December 2012.
Read more about this topic: Interstate 74 In Iowa
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