The historic landmark Interstate 74 bridge over the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities, connecting Moline, IL and Bettendorf, IA has reached the end of its life and is being replaced. Having grown up in the QC this is bittersweet news. I have many fond memories of this bridge. Boating on the river beneath it, seeing it loom over the riverfront from the Moline bikepath. White knuckle driving it for the first time at 16 on the narrow two lanes, no shoulder, see through guardrail a few feet away and the Mighty Muddy Miss far below.
The old bridge will be missed when it is torn down in 2021. Some history on the old bridge. The first span was built in 1935 as a two-way, two lane bridge. When I-74 came through, a second exact copy was built next to it in 1959, and the spans became one-way. I'm not aware of another dual suspension bridge being built decades apart like this.
The Old Bridge
The new bridge is a True Arch suspension bridge with the two spans sharing a central foundation so they buttress against each other. It will be taller than the old bridge and looks like it will be stunning. I hope it gets some cool LED light treatment.
Rendering of the new Bridge, currently under construction
I was home visiting the folks last weekend and went on a Channel Cat (water taxi) ride. Got some good construction photos I'll post soon. The foundations are massive, like a vertical mat pour for a skyscraper.
Additionally, what will be a boon for bikers along the river, the new bridge will have pedestrian access (very rare for an interstate bridge) with elevators at each end.