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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is this project related to other regional Mississippi River crossing improvements? The I-74 Corridor Study is part of a three-pronged regional strategy for improving access across the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities. Other strategies are the removal of tolls from the Centennial Bridge (accomplished in 2003)and future construction of a new bridge connecting Bettendorf and East Moline. Although the I-74 project is independent of other planned improvements, it is compatible with the region’s strategy for improving travel across the Mississippi River.
[ back to top ] 2. Is this project focused only on the I-74 bridges over the Mississippi River? No. This project involves a comprehensive look at the travel problems along I-74 between Avenue of the Cities in Moline, IL and 53rd Street in Davenport, IA. The objective is to develop a solution that will not only improve travel through the corridor, but will also improve access to adjacent communities. Possible solutions include widening and realigning I-74, modifying the location and design of interchange ramps, providing enhanced connections for alternative transportation modes, and implementing transportation system management strategies. [ back to top ] 3. How long will it take to complete this study? The study will be completed in two parts. Part I, which includes the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and selection of a preferred alternative for the I-74 corridor, is expected to be completed by the fall of 2003. After identification of a preferred alternative, Part II will refine a recommended solution and conclude with the preparation of a Final EIS. [ back to top ] 4. Are the problems along I-74 that serious? Travel through the I-74 corridor is often restricted due to rush hour congestion and blockages due to stalled vehicles. Driver handling problems are caused by design issues, including short acceleration and deceleration distances, roadway curves, limited sight distance, closely spaced ramps, and the absence of shoulders on the narrow Mississippi River bridges. These conditions result in crash rates in parts of the corridor that are almost 3-times the national average. [ back to top ] 5. Could the I-74 congestion problems be fixed without the build alternatives? A common misperception is that rush hour congestion is the problem in the I-74 corridor. Actually, the congestion is a symptom of the design and operational issues that exist. The I-74 Corridor Study considered a variety of non-roadway alternatives, including transit features, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and transportation management strategies; however, none of these solutions correct the problems in the I-74 corridor. Therefore, while such improvements will be considered as part of an overall strategy, they cannot be considered "Reasonable Alternatives". [ back to top ] 6. Couldn’t the problem be remedied by simply improving the ramps? The Mississippi River bridge design itself is a major contributor to the congestion problems with its narrow width and lack of shoulders. Further, the State Street and River Drive ramps cannot be substantially improved without widening the existing bridges. While outdated ramp design, including closely spaced ramps and short acceleration/deceleration distances, is a problem throughout the corridor, addressing the ramps while ignoring the other design issues would do little to correct the overall operational problems in the area. [ back to top ] 7. Wouldn’t diverting interstate through traffic fix the congestion problem? Contrary to perception, there is not an appreciable amount of interstate through traffic on I-74 (traffic which begins and ends outside the corridor). Thus, diverting interstate traffic would do little to reduce traffic volumes. In addition, the diverting of traffic would not address the cause of the problem--the need to update design features. [ back to top ] 8. Can the existing Mississippi River bridge be widened? While it is probably physically possible to widen the bridges, it just isn’t very practical to do so. The additional load that the structure would need to carry (both structure and vehicles) would necessitate strengthening or replacing the complete deck structure, replacing the main suspension cables or augmenting the existing ones with companion cables, strengthening the towers and foundations and rebuilding / enlarging the cable anchorages. If each bridge is put out of service while work on the individual structure is performed, I-74 would be reduced to one lane in each direction, augmenting the traffic problems. For both bridges to remain in service during peak hours, the construction schedule would be extended significantly. The cost of such a conversion would likely be in the same range as that of building a new bridge, and while the resulting bridge would be structurally adequate, the resulting bridges would be compromised in terms of appearance, functionality and future maintainability. [ back to top ] 9. When will the new Mississippi River bridge type be determined? The project team is now gathering information needed to begin the evaluation of potential bridge types for the new I-74 Mississippi River crossing. Bridge types will be determined feasible by the DOTs based on their ability to meet navigational requirements, engineering criteria, and cost – both construction cost and long-term operations and maintenance expenses. Once the feasible bridge types have been identified, they will be evaluated, and finalist alternatives will be selected by the DOTs. You will have an opportunity to view the selected bridge type(s) at the next Public Meeting. [ back to top ] 10. What will happen to the existing Mississippi River bridges if you construct a new I-74 river bridge? The decision on the fate of the existing bridges will be made during the FEIS phase, following public input. Currently, two options, including an option to keep the bridges in place for an alternative transportation use (bicycle/pedestrian), are under consideration. However, in order for the alternative transportation use option to be implemented, a public agency must assume jurisdiction of the bridge, and be responsible for its ongoing maintenance. Involved local agencies have indicated that they are not interested in assuming future responsibility for the existing bridge. Under the second option, the bridge would be dismantled as part of the construction of the new bridge. [ back to top ] 11. Won’t the project result in impacts on historic properties in the area? The project will result in some impacts on environmental and cultural resources in the area. The alignment alternatives were, in part, chosen due to their ability to avoid critical cultural resources; however, the two alignments that remain under consideration impact between 5 and 7 historic resources. [ back to top ] 12. Now that the study is complete, will construction begin? Additional engineering and environmental studies must be completed before the project can move toward construction. Now that the Draft EIS is complete, work will begin on the Final EIS. Funding is secured through completion of the FEIS. Funding must still be secured for design, right-of-way acquisition and the actual construction of the proposed improvements. Given the costs associated with the project, it is unlikely that the major construction efforts (the bridge and bridge approaches) would begin before 2010. [ back to top ] 13. What types of improvement alternatives will be considered for I-74? This project will consider a number of improvements for the corridor including, but not limited to:
[ back to top ] 14. How will community values and interests be preserved with this project? The study team has developed a broad public coordination and communication program to ensure that community values are considered during the study. Some of these activities include:
[ back to top ] 15. How will project decisions be made?
Decisions for this project will be made by the Iowa Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation, who have jurisdiction of the I-74 corridor. Decisions will be made in an informed manner, with input from all interested parties. 
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