Washington, DC - Congressmen Bobby Schilling (IL-17) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) today announced that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has accepted their April 26 invitation to visit the Quad Cities' structurally-deficient I-74 Bridge, and is going to be joining them there the afternoon of Friday, May 11.
"We are happy to welcome Secretary LaHood to the Quad Cities, so he can see firsthand the important part the I-74 bridge plays in the local community, region and states," said Congressmen Schilling and Loebsack. "The bridge has never met Interstate standards, but with 77,800 vehicles crossing daily, its replacement is truly needed. The I-74 Bridge project will not only spur economic growth, create construction jobs, reduce traffic backups and aid in commerce, but would- most importantly - improve safety for Americans traveling between Iowa and Illinois."
"The I-74 bridge is an important reminder that there are big transportation projects that need our attention across the country," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We can't afford to keep kicking the can down the road with extensions. We need Congress to pass a long-term, bipartisan transportation bill, so states and cities have the funding and the certainty they need to tackle big efforts like this."
Sec. LaHood, Schilling, and Loebsack will be viewing the I-74 Bridge at 2:00pm CST on Friday May 11 at 12th Street East of Leach Park. Also expected to join them are Moline Mayor Don Welvaert and Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher. Friday afternoon's Bridge viewing is open to press.
"We are happy to welcome Secretary LaHood to the Quad Cities, so he can see firsthand the important part the I-74 bridge plays in the local community, region and states," said Congressmen Schilling and Loebsack. "The bridge has never met Interstate standards, but with 77,800 vehicles crossing daily, its replacement is truly needed. The I-74 Bridge project will not only spur economic growth, create construction jobs, reduce traffic backups and aid in commerce, but would- most importantly - improve safety for Americans traveling between Iowa and Illinois."
"The I-74 bridge is an important reminder that there are big transportation projects that need our attention across the country," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We can't afford to keep kicking the can down the road with extensions. We need Congress to pass a long-term, bipartisan transportation bill, so states and cities have the funding and the certainty they need to tackle big efforts like this."
Sec. LaHood, Schilling, and Loebsack will be viewing the I-74 Bridge at 2:00pm CST on Friday May 11 at 12th Street East of Leach Park. Also expected to join them are Moline Mayor Don Welvaert and Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher. Friday afternoon's Bridge viewing is open to press.
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