For a couple of years now, there’s been growing interest in an idea that even the organizer of the campaign admits may sound a little ‘crazy.’ Instead of tearing down the outmoded Interstate 80 bridge linking Illinois to Iowa, near the Quad Cities, the concept is to turn the bridge into a U.S. National Park that’s home to bison, bike trails, and fun.
On the Bison Bridge Foundation’s web page, supporters of the idea say:
"Our vision for the Bison Bridge includes introducing a small herd of wild bison. With approximately 100 acres of grazing land on either side of the river, and the westbound lane dedicated to bison crossing, the Bison Bridge project will provide a space for reclaimed prairie and the opportunity to grow the wild bison population. The bonus? Repurposing the eastbound lane for pedestrians provides the unique chance to see bison up close safely and to learn more about this incredible American animal."
In a news release, "The project’s reveal comes as the Illinois Department of Transportation (I-DOT) is studying the future of the 55-year-old infrastructure and preparing to make decisions about the location and design of a new I-80 replacement bridge. With support from the Federal Highways Administration and the Iowa Department of Transportation, I-DOT is responsible for the study, design and construction of a new I-80 crossing.
During the live, virtual announcement, dubbed “A Historic Night in the Quad Cities,” (Chad) Pregracke outlined the Foundation’s vision for transforming the aging infrastructure into a one-of-a-kind national treasure. The project, which would showcase and celebrate America’s second longest river and national mammal – the American bison – was announced just downriver from the bridge at The Rust Belt performance and event venue in East Moline, Illinois.
“This will help put the Quad Cities on the map, literally. It will be an iconic stop on Interstate 80 to the 42,000 people who cross it each day,” said Pregracke, a Quad Cities native and award-winning environmentalist and entrepreneur. “I will agree with anyone who thinks, ‘This is a far-out project.’ It’s wild. It’s not been done anywhere in the world, but it’s exactly what the Quad Cities needs. We need something that will make people stop here and say, ‘Wow!’”
As the Chicago Tribune reports, “Pregracke recently launched the idea publicly after two years of consulting with experts and quietly pitching the concept to state officials, politicians and local business leaders. He started many of those conversations with a disclaimer: “I know this sounds crazy, but …”
So far, no one has told him ‘No’ — including the Illinois Department of Transportation, which controls the bridge’s fate.
