New I-74 bridge presents unprecedented opportunity for region

The new iconic Interstate 74 bridge symbolizes more than progress; it is an opportunity to amplify the quality of life of residents and the success of businesses across the region. And while it took 25 years of planning, design, construction and advocacy, together we’ve built a new landmark that connects our family of communities that call this region home.

Connecting the states of Iowa and Illinois, I-74 is an important east-west link in the nation’s transportation network. But more than that, it is the primary crossing of the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities region, carrying more than 45 percent of total vehicular traffic across the river, far exceeding the amount of daily traffic the former twin bridge was built to carry. Its unreliability was a deciding factor in where residents chose to live, work, shop and dine, and where businesses chose to open and expand.

The new bridge is expected to open within the next week, giving people and businesses the opportunity to base their life decisions around something else. With four lanes in each direction and a recreation path, anyone who wants to cross the span between Bettendorf and Moline can do so in a very safe, and quick, manner.

The new bridge has, and will, spark new development: parks where people can gather, new places for people to live and invite pedestrians and bicyclists to transverse the river and explore.

It will encourage businesses to locate or expand across state lines without having to consider if and how their suppliers can cross the bridge. It will encourage entrepreneurs to fill storefronts and open restaurants knowing they will have a much larger bi-state customer base. It will encourage workers, employees and professionals to accept their dream job with an employer across the river.

The new bridge bridges us in a whole new way.

Speaking at the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, lawmakers and local leaders lauded its design and construction, its ability to strengthen commerce and spark long-term economic growth, and the community vision that led the project.

What makes us most proud is the large role our local trades and companies had in the design, engineering, construction and project oversight, including member partners such as Hahn Ready Mix, IMEG Corp, Phoenix Corporation of the Quad Cities, Shive-Hatteryand Valley Construction Co.

“It has been historic to be involved in five major contracts tied to this monumental project,” said Valley’s President and CEO Greg Hass. “We’ve completed contracts on both sides of this magnificent new bridge. I hope the Quad Cities enjoys this wonderful work of art for years to come.” 

On average, more than 450 people worked on the project each day during peak construction and many of those skilled craftsmen and women were Quad Citians. They built the new twin bridge spans, interchanges, ramps and local roads to improve mobility and operation, delivering safer and more reliable travel for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

“The Quad Cities Chamber engaged significantly in the advocacy efforts to secure the funding for the I-74 bridge along with many, many other partners,” said Chamber President and CEO Paul Rumler. “We hosted advocacy trips to Springfield, Des Moines and Washington DC, and our member partners joined us as well as the Bi-State Regional Commission and private businesses who talked about the need and the impact this bridge could have. We are very thankful Iowa and Illinois prioritized the bridge on their state-wide list of projects and allocated the resources."

The approximately $1 billion project was about 88.5 percent federally funded with Iowa and Illinois DOTs funding their land-based contracts, respectively, and splitting the remaining cost of the river bridge.

During the ribbon cutting, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker pointed to the collaboration between neighbors, communities, and states in delivering this 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.”

The new I-74 bridge is providing us an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and create a prosperous community in which we all thrive.