interstate iowa interstate central freeway roughly divides west east begins interchange interstate northeastern edge continues illinois mississippi_river crossing bridge freeway built stages late 1960s early 1970s northern half interstate built atop farmland northeastern southern half built near existing route corridor approaches iowa illinois memorial bridge rebuilt interstate traffic completed opened traffic november iowa illinois departments transportation planning major reconstruction project mile long corridor widened lanes new river crossing built replace aging bridges eastbound motorists wishing use cities suggested use east town reason route description begins trumpet interchange northern edge heads south east street freeway surrounded farmland south passes residential area east commercial area west east 53rd street exit provides access shopping centers sides interstate continuing south east 53rd street spruce hills drive goes area sparse development businesses avenue west ridge road east backs businesses freeway spruce hills drive exit route joins west nearly mile west road carries intersects western edge south runs parallel eastern leg road turned south intersection freeway curves slightly southeast enters crosses meets diamond interchange head hill mississippi_river series exit entrance ramps connect freeway runs northbound state street southbound grant street interstate passes railroad tracks belonging minnesota elevated highway serves approach mississippi_river despite singular crossing actually twin bridges carry direction traffic illinois history original plans building iowa interstate system form iowa leg planned freeway cincinnati ohio route closely resembles path drawn mid-1950s opened segments beginning august day northernmost miles opened traffic new freeway built atop farmland west ridge road northeastern section built adjacent north south portion road carried segment ended interstate lined older street eastbound exit westbound entrance ramps road provide access middle section opened years passed freeway completed opened traffic twin spans connect interstate iowa bound bridge built project illinois bound bridge years later prior interstate construction terminated state street northbound lanes prevent traffic traffic prohibited making left turns bridges result loop ramps diverted traffic block south state street curved state street ends allowing traffic necessary left turns construction interstate meant eliminating grade intersections state grant streets built elevated highway bridges new road connections completed opened traffic november future iowa illinois departments transportation planning stages build new bridge replace aging bridge iowa bound bridge opened illinois bridge addition replacing bridges scope state coalition plan includes miles mainline interchanges 53rd street avenue cities iowa illinois dots identified traffic needs corridor found satisfied true arch tied arch cable stayed bridge public input consideration construction costs aesthetics departments transportation august recommended building twin true arch basket handle bridges senator illinois suggested charging toll motorists use new bridges help pay construction study researched river crossing options replace bridges deemed new tolls viable addition new river crossing mainline 53rd street avenue cities widened lane freeway lanes additional lanes picked dropped selected locations downtown connection simplified traffic routed directions grant street state grant streets currently way network ramps city streets form interchange access interchange built place grant street construction corridor completed 53rd street interchange partial cloverleaf interchange added direction allow traffic enter making left turns intersection 53rd street phase construction ended december exit list
Interstate 74 in Iowa