QUAD CITIES, IA and IL – Dec. 1, 2021 - A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held by the Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Quad Cities communities on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, to celebrate opening the new I-74 Mississippi River Bridge to traffic.
Governor Kim Reynolds (IA) provided an official statement and Governor J.B. Pritzker (IL) was joined by federal, state, and local officials in making public remarks celebrating the opening of the iconic structure, as well as the future of the Quad Cities region.
“This new bridge will serve as a vital east-west link for the Midwest. It provides exceptional opportunities to strengthen the economies of Iowa and Illinois and improve regional and global options for moving goods produced in each of our states,” Gov. Reynolds said in a statement. “The I-74 River Bridge illustrates the promise of our states and the Quad Cities communities to all who travel across it. I am thrilled that this majestic bridge will be here for generations to come, helping to bring that promise to fruition.”
Governor Pritzker pointed to the collaboration between neighbors, communities, and states in delivering a transformational project.
“The I-74 River Bridge is a testament to what is possible when we work together to build a better Midwest,” Pritzker said. “These improvements will support safer and shorter commutes, connect economies across the Mississippi, and spark opportunity across the Quad Cities. I’m proud to celebrate our partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation and thank them for their leadership.”
The new I-74 Mississippi River Bridge is anticipated to open to traffic in early December, delivering four lanes in each direction and providing improved safety for commuters. The bridge includes a 14-foot wide bike and pedestrian path with a scenic overlook and connections to existing paths in both Bettendorf and Moline and is anticipated to open by the end of December.
The approximately $1 billion project is the largest in Iowa state history and includes twin river bridges, new interchanges, ramps, and local road reconfigurations to improve mobility and operation, delivering safer and more reliable travel for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The project is approximately 88.5 percent federally funded with Iowa and Illinois DOTs funding their land-based contracts, respectively, and splitting the cost of the river bridge.
“This new I-74 Mississippi River Bridge will join our states and communities, will strengthen our region, and will stand tall in welcoming new hope and opportunity to the Quad Cities and beyond for many years to come,” Iowa DOT Director Scott Marler said.
“The I-74 bridge is yet another example of bold leadership delivering the type of improvements in infrastructure that will keep this region competitive for many, many years to come,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “This beautiful new structure is especially meaningful because of our partnership with Iowa and our work with federal, state, and local stakeholders.”
Connecting the states of Iowa and Illinois, I-74 serves as an important east-west link in the nation's transportation network. The I-74 corridor serves as a primary crossing of the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities area, carrying more than 45 percent of total vehicular traffic across the river. The I-74 River Bridge project is part of a regional strategy for improving access across the Mississippi River.
Project Facts and Milestones:
For updates on the final stages of construction, visit the project website at www.I74RiverBridge.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube @I74RiverBridge.
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Contacts:
Iowa DOT - Andrea Henry at 515-203-1734
Illinois DOT - Guy Tridgell at 217-782-3030