Work on I-74 and 53rd Street Interchange Finally Done - KWQC-TV6 News and Weather For The Quad Cities -

Work on I-74 and 53rd Street Interchange Finally Done

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For the first time in two years the I-74 and 53rd street interchange will be open for the holidays. All lanes were opened late last week.

Construction crews widened the bridge, creating three lanes. They also widened the ramps to get onto 53rd street and created new loop ramps to get onto the interstate. The disappearance of all the orange cones has many local drivers breathing a sigh of relief.

"I was tickled to death to see it," said driver Jay Kemmerer.

"I have been here before when traffic was very congested when it was under construction. I think its moving very well now I was caught a little bit by surprise by the new on and off ramps on I-74, but I think it's a big improvement I really do."

Construction Engineers say for those who do not take that route very often they will want to pay close attention to which way to turn in order to get onto the interstate.

In the past drivers had to turn left if they wanted to go toward Illinois, however, now they need to turn right to get on both I-74 East and I-74 West.

"If anybody could have been confused easily that would have been me, but we got through just fine," said Kemmerer.

Construction Engineers say the finished work should make holiday traveling a lot less stressful this year.