George Ryan, Project Manager for the new bridge, says it's the second time divers have re-located mussels to preserve several species. The first time was in the summer of 2016. The second was just a couple of months ago.
"During the second relocation, around 32,000 mussels were moved. They represent 30 species and three are on the federal endangered list: Higgins Eye, Spectaclecase, and Sheepnose."
They joined the first batch of more than 150,000 mussels, a lot less than the original estimate of half-a-million. A St. Louis company moved them upstream to existing mussel beds. He says the same company will continue to check on the mussels a of couple time a year.
Crews have already been demolishing old pavement and overpasses on land in Bettendorf and Moline.
Ryan says the contract to demolish the old, I-74 bridges will go out to bid next spring, with demolition beginning in mid-2022. He says the implosion or explosion of the main bridges must follow certain guidelines. For example, it can't be done during river navigation season. So, his best guess is that would be from December, 2022 to March, 2023.
