The Coast Guard has been involved from the beginning, including the design phase of the project.
Based in St. Louis, Pete Sambor is the US Coast Guard's Federal Project Officer for new construction. He oversees new bridge projects in 22 states, including Illinois and Iowa. And the $1.2 billion, I-74 bridge project is just one of many that Sambor works on.
WVIK News learned about Sambor and his role in the I-74 bridge project when following up on a recent, decorative lighting test. Now he's gathering final comments from towboat captains and others. He'll also make sure the details are added to the Coast Guard's light list and other databases.
Sambor was also involved with preserving an endangered species of mussels that live in the Mississippi River. Before work on the new bridge began, a special crew moved many of them to another part of the river.
That part of his job will continue as the old bridge is removed. One of its piers will be left in the river just upstream from Sylvan Slough and closer to the Moline shoreline. Sambor will work with Helm Group, the demolition contractor, to make sure the remaining mussels are not disturbed when the old highway and steel structures are dismantled and removed.
Demolition of the old, I-74 bridge won't begin until winter, when the Mississippi River is closed to navigation.
