MOLINE, Illinois -- Dozens filled the Moline Police Department to address their concerns with construction leaders regarding the Interstate-74 Bridge project.
The meeting, hosted by Mayor Stephanie Acri and October Mayor Pro-Tem and 6th Ward Alderman Kevin Schoonmaker, featured several project representatives available to give a short presentation on the project and to answer any questions.
Major questions asked addressed the future bridge closure in 2019 and the reopening of 19th street in downtown Moline.
"That's really what we're here to do, to keep the public in the know," says Ryan Hippen, construction field engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The Iowa-bound bridge will close in 2019 and will reopen to both sides of traffic that winter. That will give crews time to work on the other half of the bridge.
The most immediate news for downtown Moline drivers is the reopening of 19th Street.
"People have expressed some frustration about the detours and it is mostly because they are confused about where to go. I think that once we get more comfortable then it will just be routine to us and we'll be able to navigate our way," says Mayor Stephanie Acri.
19th Street is expected to reopen in early December, but will close again sometime in 2018.
