It’s a common story: aged, outdated infrastructure can’t keep pace with the increasing population in urban areas.
Growth in the Quad Cities has translated into amplified traffic, particularly on the I-74 corridor that spans the Mississippi River. More than 78,000 vehicles traverse the existing twin suspension bridges every day.
The bridges, built in 1935 and 1959, are structurally sound, but understandably require periodic standard maintenance –– everything from painting to concrete repair to replacing light bulbs.
But at 24 ft. (7.3 m) wide with no shoulder, the two-lane structures make basic maintenance and incident management problematic. The biggest problem with maintenance is that, due to the absence of a shoulder, one lane has to be closed to perform work, thus obstructing traffic even more. Incapable of being widened, the bridges pose no solution to the traffic slow-downs and snarls that impede traffic flow.
A 1999 major investment study concluded that capacity improvements are needed on the I-74 corridor. That conclusion led to the I-74 Corridor Study, which began planning late in 2000. Due to the unique nature of this urban area, the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation have joined forces, and are working closely with the Federal Highway administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, various resource agencies and specialists, an advisory committee and civic officials.
The project is designed to evaluate transportation problems and suggest a range of solutions and recommend a plan to improve traffic flow and mobility along the corridor, as well as provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing bridge while respecting the environment and complementing community plans and goals.
Project engineer/project manager Tammy Nicholson indicated that the group completed the preliminary study phase in October 2003 and presented its concepts and proposed locations at public hearing in December that year.
This phase included a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which was released for public comment in November 2003 and which will serve as the basis for selection of a recommended solution. Four initial concepts were developed through a series of workshops, where possible river crossing location options, interchange options and lane requirements were identified.
“We know the capacity needs and lane needs of the new bridges,” Nicholson said. “We determined that by 2035 we will need three lanes of traffic in each direction, plus an auxiliary lane for maintenance, repair and emergency situations.”
She added that the Coast Guard has confirmed span requirements for navigational needs, as well as the horizontal and vertical clearance needs. What isn’t known at this point is whether one or two new bridges will be constructed.
“That will be determined during the next phase,” Nicholson said.
No matter how many new ones are going up, the need to leave the existing bridges in place during construction led to proposals to shift alignment of the new bridge (or bridges). From 10 choices of alignment, the preferred alternative plan identified a location east of the existing bridges.
Other work proposed under the preferred alternative plan includes improving interchange design features along the corridor. Some of the interchanges will be reconstructed in a similar style with only minor improvements and slight changes in ramps, but Nicholson said a pair of one-way ramps in downtown Bettendorf, IA, will change significantly.
“The northbound ramp to Iowa is a short, steep ramp over the river that drops down quickly to the street,” Nicholson said. “The proposed change would make Grant Street a two-way street with three lanes of traffic in each direction and a ramp that will be longer and safer.”
In addition, access to I-74 will be consolidated at Grant Street, eliminating current connecting ramps at Kimberly Road and State Street.
“We’ve done a lot of traffic analysis that shows better traffic flow by confining access to Grant Street,” Nicholson said.
The preferred alternative continues to be refined as the group further reviews the environmental impact statement with the Federal Highway administration and awaits preliminary designs and completed environmental studies.
“It’s a very large project,” Nicholson said when asked about a time line. “In major urban areas where you’re dealing with land acquisition requirements, and environmental as well as community impact, it takes time.”
Because this project will cut through the middle of the Quad Cities, it will affect some businesses, particularly when interchanges are altered and connections are eliminated.
According to Nicholson, there have been extensive meetings with the public and with property owners in the corridor to help them understand the alternatives and their impact.
“The community has been very supportive. They recognize the need,” she said.
It’s too early to inform the public of a work schedule. As Nicholson said, “We don’t have the staging figured out yet. There are too many issues to be decided on.”
It’s even too early to identify funding for the work. Without a specific budget, Nicholson said the group doesn’t yet know how much federal funding they’ll receive, but admits that it’s “a major project, with a major cost.”
Opportunities to pursue a pedestrian/bike trail crossing and to initiate traffic/incident management systems will be explored at a later date.CEG
Lori Lovely
Lori Lovely is an award-winning journalist, editor and author of the children's book Isadora's Dance. She has worked for newspapers, magazines and niche publications, covering a wide-ranging list of topics that includes motor sports, construction, MSW, energy, environmental issues, water, animal rights and issues, history, Native American issues and people, real estate and home decor, farming and more. Her degrees in History taught this dedicated professional to research thoroughly and ask detailed questions in order to winnow interesting facts that convey the essence of the story. As a seasoned writer and compassionate storyteller, she accurately portrays the subject in a manner that entrances the reader.
When she's not working on assignment, Lori is tending to her historic Indiana farm, where she raises alpacas. An inveterate animal lover, this vegetarian enjoys spending time with her animals and working in her garden.
Read more from Lori Lovely here.
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