Quad Cities/I-80 Chokepoint

[Nathan Truninger]

Just to let everyone know, if anyone is planning on using I-80 to go east/west this summer, the Quad City Mississippi River crossings are becoming a major headache in this area. The I-80 bridge is down to 1 lane in both directions due to cracks being found in one of the supports. The I-74 bridge is down to 1 lane in both directions at some points due to continued construction. The best way to get across is to take the I-280 bridge which leads you around the south part of town. Just an FYI to anyone heading this way!

[Adam Lucio]

I can vouche for this. I always use 280. There is allot of new construction popping up too along the IL portion of 80. Many 10+ mile 1 lane, 45mph speed limit stretches. DOH!

[Jason Foster]

Looks like all that new fancy road salt during the winter is taking it's toll....along with the general lack of maintenance.

[Robert S. Thompson]

Thanks for the update, I was planning to head through there in a few days!

[Melissa Jablonski]

Thanks for the info. My sister is headed this way from South Dakota. I'll give her a heads up.
Melissa

[Joel Wright]

Yep. It's definitely a mess around here. Good news is if you're heading east/west I-280 isn't too much slower, and is actually a pretty nice stretch. Usually not all that much traffic, but obviously there may be a bit more now.

[Scott Weberpal]

Looks like all that new fancy road salt during the winter is taking it's toll....along with the general lack of maintenance.

It's the constant freezing and thawing that takes place during the winter, especially in the north. Hard freeze, thaw, hard freeze thaw, etc. There's no amount of maintenance that can prevent roads in the north from falling apart due to cold weather.

[Scott Lincoln]

Because the preliminary survey of the bridge structural integrity showed even more cracks and damage, they have reduced the I-80 Mississippi River crossing down to just 1-lane, westbound only. Eastbound must use I-280 or I-74.

http://hb.511ia.org/main.jsf

[Nathan Truninger]

At all costs, stay away from the immediate Quad Cities if chasing Thurs/Friday. Multiple large crowd events, plus massive construction going on on every interstate that goes through town.

If you have to go through here though, 280 is still the best bet.