(Radio Iowa) – Hundreds of pedestrians celebrated completion of the new Interstate-74 bridge over the Mississippi River by walking across the span yesterday (Wednesday). Every mayor in the region was there for the event, including Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher.

Construction on the six-lane bridge began in 2017. West bound lanes opened a year ago. The east bound lanes are scheduled to open next week. The bridge project includes a highway between Bettendorf and Moline and cost more than one-point-two billion dollars. East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman says the old, green I-74 bridge was built in 1935 for horses, carts and pedestrians.

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker says the I-74 bridge is one of the country’s primary Mississippi River crossings.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds wasn’t able to attend the ceremony and sent a written statement to mark the occasion.