The Illinois DOT and Iowa DOT this week provided a progress update on the Illinois-bound I-74 Mississippi River Bridge project between Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa.
The first week of February, crews installed the first of four intermediate struts (crossbeam) on the Illinois-bound arch. At this time, 18 of 30 arch segments have been installed for the Illinois-bound bridge.
Demolition of the old I-74 is ongoing in Bettendorf to make way for the new structures. Contractors have also been working on constructing piers south of Grant Street/U.S. 67.
In Moline, crews are working quickly to complete the new 6th Avenue off-ramp. Plywood decking on the off-ramp is complete and crews will begin tying rebar to reinforce the deck prior to pouring concrete for the driving surface. Contractors also poured concrete for a retaining wall in Moline, which marks the completion of I-74 from 7th Avenue to Avenue of the Cities!
While the recent cold front is limiting some tasks, contractors are doing what they can to adjust tasks accordingly with worker safety in mind, the project team said. The team is continuing to work towards the goal of opening Illinois-bound I-74 to traffic by the end of 2021. The Iowa-bound structure opened to traffic in November 2020.
The I-74 Mississippi River Bridge project is part of a regional strategy for improving access across the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities, between Illinois and Iowa.
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SOURCE: I-74 Mississippi River Bridge (Illinois DOT and Iowa DOT)