Anchorage for old I-74 bridge scheduled for demolition

Slowly but surely, the old I-74 bridge is coming down and the next piece will be removed on Sunday, weather permitting.

In a post on their website, the Iowa Department of Transportation says it plans to use controlled explosives to remove the Moline anchorage, one of the final pieces of the old I-74 bridge over the Mississippi River between Bettendorf and Moline. Demolition is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 18, beginning as early as 7 a.m., weather permitting.

Helm Group, the demolition contractor, will use controlled explosives to remove the anchorage. This means the new I-74 bridge will be temporarily closed to both vehicles and pedestrians. The Mississippi River will also be temporarily closed to commercial traffic and recreational boaters.

Certain areas will be temporarily closed to ensure the public’s safety during the demolition. The main navigation channel in the river will be closed for up to 24 hours, starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday, February 18. Areas outside the main navigation channel will be closed for up to 12 hours. Law enforcement officers will be on-site to monitor the river during the demolition process.

The entire new bridge will be closed to traffic for about one hour on Sunday morning, with a posted detour in place. Through traffic will be routed to I-80 and I-280. Local traffic will be directed to use the Centennial Bridge in Davenport to cross the river and then go to either downtown Bettendorf to get to westbound I-74 or downtown Moline to get to eastbound I-74.

For more details on the demolition, click here.

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