I-74, John Deere Road project begins in Quad Cities

MOLINE – The Illinois Department of Transportation and the city of Moline were joined today by local officials and community leaders to announce the start of the Interstate 74 and John Deere Road (Illinois 5) interchange reconstruction, another major Quad Cities project made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic Rebuild Illinois capital program. The $129 million project will convert the interchange from a cloverleaf design to a diverging diamond and add a lane in each direction to I-74, the final piece to making the interstate six lanes through the Quad Cities and enhancing safety and mobility in the region.

“Roadway improvements not only make travel safer, but also support local job creation, spur economic growth and enhance regional mobility,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Fueled by Rebuild Illinois, the I-74 interstate reconstruction project ensures Illinoisans can access opportunities in the Quad City region and beyond.”

The project’s centerpiece consists of rebuilding the I-74 interchange with John Deere Road into a diverging diamond, improving traffic flow and access to and from the interstate while increasing safety by reducing potential collision points. The design, which has reduced crashes by half in some locations, will essentially route vehicles temporarily to the opposite side of John Deere Road and eliminate left turns across traffic entering and exiting I-74.

Once completed, the interchange will be the first diverging diamond in the Quad Cities and the 10th in Illinois.

“We are excited to get started on our next diverging diamond interchange, a popular and innovative approach to reduce congestion and improve safety,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “In every corner of Illinois, we are working with our local partners to deliver projects like this one to set up communities for long-term success.”

Other project components include reconstructing I-74 to three lanes in each direction between 27th Street and the Rock River, including replacing the bridges over 38th Avenue, achieving a longtime goal of having six lanes through the Quad Cities between I-280 in Illinois and I-80 in Iowa. John Deere Road between 16th and 38th streets will be rebuilt, with the bridges over 27th Street replaced, eliminating a bottleneck at the interchange.

Also being rebuilt are 27th Street from just south of John Deere Road to just north of 38th Avenue, as well as 36th and 38th avenues from just west of 27th Street to just east of I-74. Additional improvements include drainage upgrades, new signs, landscaping and bike and pedestrian paths at various locations.

For more information about the project, visit idot.click/IL5-174.

“Today’s event is an important step to make I-74 safer, with a modern interchange,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill). “This project highlights the local, regional, state and federal commitment to modernize our roads and improve travel.”

“Rebuilding the I-74 interchange at John Deere Road is a major investment in the Quad Cities and in the people who rely on this critical corridor every day,” said U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) “This project will make travel safer and more efficient for families while helping keep our local economy moving.”

“When this project is finished, one of the Quad Cities' most accident-prone interchanges will be transformed into a safer, more efficient gateway to our community,” said U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-17). “Replacing this outdated cloverleaf with a modern, safer design is an investment in the future of the Quad Cities and the people and businesses who call them home. Thank you to IDOT and all our state and local partners for your work to make this a reality here in the Quad Cities.”

“For families in the Quad Cities, a safer, smoother commute deserves to be part of our daily lives,” said state Sen. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island). “The John Deere Road Interchange will cut down on dangerous backups, put our neighbors to work building it and help local businesses grow for years to come.” ​

“The changes planned for the John Deere interchange are necessary and long awaited,” said state Rep. Gregg Johnson (D-Rock Island). “The updates will change how traffic flows through the interchange, increasing safety and mobility for our drivers. As work begins on this project, it signals that we’re focused on developing and updating our infrastructure to bolster the entire community and its economy.”

Advance construction already is underway to prepare the I-74 and John Deere Road work zone, including shoulder reconstruction, drainage work and temporary lighting. Preliminary work is anticipated to last through November, with the project beginning in the next construction season and wrapping by the end of 2028.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area and be prepared for slow and stopped traffic over the next two years. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

“Moline has grown and changed a lot since this interchange was built more than 50 years ago,” said Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati. “This project is an opportunity to modernize a major entrance to our city, improve safety and make sure this corridor can continue serving our community for decades to come. We appreciate IDOT’s commitment to moving this important project forward.”

The project also is part of more than $1 billion of work planned in the Quad Cities over the next several years. Highlights include the Illinois 84 reconstruction from the Rock River to just north of U.S. 6, the Centennial Bridge (U.S. 67) over Mississippi River bridge replacement, the I-80 over the Mississippi River bridge reconstruction and more.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve 7,107 lane miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Seven of Rebuild Illinois include $25.6 billion of improvements statewide to 24,498 lane miles of highway, 959 bridges and 1,475 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com. ​

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