Hare seeks $1.5M to study feasibility of Rock River span
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By Doug Schorpp | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 |
A year after the opening of the West Rock River Bridge, the first step has been taken toward construction of a companion span.
U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Ill., is seeking $1.5 million for a corridor study that could lead to development of an East Rock River Bridge, according to Rick Baker, president and CEO of the Illinois Quad-City Chamber of Commerce.
The study would look at the feasibility of constructing a bridge between unincorporated Rock Island County, near the border of Moline, East Moline and Silvis, and Henry County.
The proposed bridge would continue as an overpass to Interstate 280, creating a need for a new interchange. A beltway would encircle the southern Illinois Quad-City region, connecting the East Rock River Bridge to U.S. 67 south of Milan.
Baker talked about the bridge plans Wednesday during an Illinois Quad-City Transportation Forum hosted by the chamber at the Stoney Creek Inn in Moline.
He said Illinois Department of Transportation officials have told planners they should pursue funding for a study from sources other than the state because of budgetary constraints. He said it will be months before it is known whether funds will be available for the study. Once funding is approved, however, Paul Rumler, chamber vice president, said planning and studying the project could begin.
Tim Schlittner, Hare’s communications director, said the earmark request was made in March and is part of the 2009 federal transportation bill request. It likely will be debated in the House in June and then go before the Senate.
Eventually, the bill would have to be signed by President Bush. But Schlittner said there are no guarantees that will happen. Either way, he said it could be fall or early next year before the chamber knows whether money will be allocated. “But a feasibility study always is the first step to getting it done,” he said.
The West Rock River Bridge, officially known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge at Carr’s Crossing, links Milan with Moline and Rock Island. It opened June 18, 2007. The $73 million project has sparked new growth in Milan as well as in south Moline.
Rumler said the potential for an East Rock River Bridge is even bigger.
“It has been on paper, part of a long-range plan,” he said. “It has been identified in many resources... but not from a concept to actual planning. It would be ideal for commercial and residential growth. It could be the new horizon for the Quad-Cities.”
He said over the years, potential projects and growth have been stymied because the Illinois Quad-Cities is landlocked by the Rock and Mississippi rivers.
“We have seen a lot of growth go to Iowa where it is easier to develop,” Rumler said. “With a new bridge, we would be able to go beyond the Rock River. It no longer would be limiting growth.”
Rumler said if the study is approved and funds are allocated, the chamber would hire an outside consultant to study specific needs, specific locations, the economic impact, best routes for the corridor and feasibility of land acquisition, among other factors.
“It took about 40 years from the original concept until its grand opening,” he said of the West Rock River Bridge. “This is the new frontier for Quad-Cities and we have to start planning today. ... This could happen much more quickly than that.”
Doug Schorpp can be contacted at (563) 383-2292 or dschorpp@qctimes.com.
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