Moline 16th Street Viaduct rehab project now fully funded

A project that will rehabilitate the 16 ^th Street Viaduct connecting Moline to the Rock Island Arsenal has been funded so work can begin next summer.

The City of Moline Critical Bridge Connectivity Project for Rock Island Arsenal, also known as the 16th Street Viaduct Re-Decking Project, has been fully funded, thanks to an $11.5 million federal grant awarded through the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) under the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). The funding will pay for rehabilitating the 16th Street Viaduct, a vital transportation artery connecting Moline with the Rock Island Arsenal. The viaduct provides access for over 60 Department of Defense organizations and private enterprises on the Arsenal and will make accessing the Arsenal safer.

The project involves demolishing and removing the current bridge deck and parapets and constructing a new concrete deck and modern parapets. Rehabilitating beams, beam bearings and seats and installing new street lighting are also part of the project. The work will ensure that emergency vehicles and other large sized vehicles can access the military installation and facilitate readiness at Rock Island Arsenal. The new viaduct will have the insignias of both the City of Moline and the Rock Island Arsenal, signifying the strong partnership and importance of this project for the local community and regional defense operations.

“The City of Moline is very appreciative for the funds provided by the U.S. DOD through the Defense Community Infrastructure Program,” said Bob Vitas, Moline City Administrator. “This grant will provide all the funding necessary to replace the critical 16th Street Viaduct bridge to 14th Street at no cost to Moline; something we did not dream of three years ago while planning the capital improvement plan. The city has built a close relationship with the U.S. military on the Rock Island Arsenal and this project will continue to support this most significant employer in Moline and the greater Quad Cities. Special thanks to Dawn Temple, the City’s Grants Manager and Management Analyst, who is the lead author and coordinated this grant opportunity.”

“I am proud and thankful for this infusion of federal dollars and the partnerships that made it happen,” said Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati. “ The DCIP grant is a major win for Moline, the Quad Cities region and for the leadership and staff who have been instrumental in making it happen. It is proof that our community does not have to and should not settle for deferred maintenance of critical infrastructure. We will continue to seek solutions like this for our community.”

“We are pleased that the City of Moline received this award,” said Col. William “Joe” Parker, Commander of U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal. “Working with our surrounding communities to improve access to the installation is one of our top priorities. This project benefits the City of Moline and the installation, as well as those who live, work and visit the Arsenal.”

“The award of $11.5 million in DCIP funding for this viaduct project is critical to ensuring the viability of Rock Island Arsenal as one of the region’s most significant economic centers,” said Mike Hutchison, Executive Director of the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA). “The project will help to improve access into and off the Arsenal for employees, emergency vehicles as well as other large size vehicles transporting assets from production to the warfighter. The award leverages a federal DoD grant program that RIADA has advocated for and that facilitates a ‘One Community’ approach to addressing infrastructure issues with the Arsenal. We appreciated the chance to help support this critical project and we will endeavor to do this with other future opportunities for our community.”

The re-decking project is expected to begin in August 2025 with a projected ending date of December 2026. The viaduct will be closed to traffic during this time, but the city will work to minimize disruptions for local businesses and commuters.

Click here for more information on the Defense Community Infrastructure Program.

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