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Memorial on the move to make way for I-74 bridge

It’s a piece of hidden history that many people never notice, but thanks to the I-74 bridge project it’s getting a new home. The Iowa-Illinois Memor...

It's a piece of hidden history that many people never notice, but thanks to the I-74 bridge project it's getting a new home.

The Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge monument tells a piece of Quad City history. It's been around since 1935 when the first span of the bridge was built. The monument was a dedication to the bridge and those who have served in the military. The monument has already moved locations once and it will have to move again to make room for the new I-74 bridge.

"We want to also preserve this monument to kind of remind people what the bridge was named after," said Doug Rick, manager for the I-74 bridge project.

The city of Bettendorf wants the monument to be placed in a spot not too far from where it's now, but a spot where it will go more noticed.

"There will be a pedestrian trail across the bridge also and as part of that the city of Bettendorf is actually building a structure with elevators in it so people can quickly get from leach park near the river up to the trail on the bridge," said Rick.

There the monument will be, with landscape surrounding it as well as information explaining its history.

"It will still be in a good location and more visible to the public and it still will be a monument honoring our veterans," said Rick.

Iowa's Department of Transportation is working with the state's Historical Society to make sure the new location is appropriate. The monument wouldn't have to move until 2019.

 

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