I-74 Corridor Manager George Ryan and Helm Civil Engineer Tom Schebler will discuss the old Interstate 74 suspension bridge’s demolition at an upcoming presentation hosted by the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Student Honors Association.
The discussion will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in the WIU-QC Riverfront Hall, Room 111.
“The new I-74 bridge is an iconic landmark and engineering marvel that required decades of planning and five years to build. But the job is not finished until the historic old bridge is demolished,” said WIU Student Honors Association Advisor Jim Rabchuk, in a news release.
“This job has required significant planning and careful engineering in its own right, both to protect the Mississippi’s ecosystem and shipping channel. The Helm Group from East Moline has taken up this task, and will share with us how they secured this job and the challenges they have overcome in carrying it out.
“Everyone who cares about the QC’s past and future should come and hear this special presentation on the demolition of the old I-74 bridge,” he said.
According to the release, Mr. Ryan is the corridor manager for the $1 billion construction of the new river bridges and reconstruction of I-74 in Bettendorf and Moline. Prior to this work, he spent 34 years with the Illinois Department of Transportation. He also oversaw all phases of the largest downstate roadway reconstruction ever undertaken in Illinois: the $500 million reconstruction of I-74 through downtown Peoria.
Mr. Schebler is a project engineer with Helm Civil in East Moline. A Davenport native, Mr. Schebler has worked for Helm Civil since 2018, first as an intern and now in his current role after graduating with a civil engineering degree from Iowa State University in 2020, according to the release.
The pair previously spoke to the Moline Rotary Club and provided an update on demolition.
For more information about the presentation, email Mr. Rabchuk at ja-rabchuk@wiu.edu.
