Checking Out the New Bridge

The Quad Cities is getting a new bridge!!!  This bridge has been on the mind of every politician and citizen for the last 20 years! We are so excited to see it finally happening.

It has been fun to watch "the arch" take shape. We tracked the segments as they made their way from one river to another - the barge making its way up the Mississippi River to arrive in the Quad Cities. We have watched, with delight and amazement, as each segment has been hoisted and attached. This past weekend, the last segment was attached and now we wait for the keystone to be finished and placed as the final piece of the eastern arch (northbound I-74).

With the beautiful (albeit a bit windy!) weather, Matt took the kids down to the river to view the construction. They traveled to a few view points along the IL side then crossed the river to see it from the IA side.

Here is a great overall view of the river and bridges, seen from Riverside Cemetery. This is the final resting place of John Deere and his family.

We've seen some flooding along the Rock & Mississippi Rivers over the past month. Down along the river, Matt had to turn around when he found this big puddle!

Did I mention that it was a *tad bit* windy?

Will went with them but evidently only got out at this stop - face mask and all! He was in the middle of a good book and didn't want to explore.

The two spans of the current bridge. 

If all goes as planned (which probably won't be the case, but nothing has gone as planned thus far!), the northbound bridge will be finished this fall. Work has already started on the southbound as well. We are very excited!!!