A New Gateway to Bettendorf

There is a NEW GATEWAY in the works to welcome residents and visitors into the City of Bettendorf and the Quad Cities. The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to reconfigure the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange beginning in 2025 and just south of that, the Gateway Bridge will allow walkers, runners, and bicyclists to cross Middle Road safely in one of the fastest-growing regions in our area that includes the TBK Bank Sports Complex, The Plex Business Corridor, Iron Tee Golf, and so much more.

As you scroll down this page, you will find important updates, maps, and concept designs on the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange, the Gateway Bridge, and the Spencer Creek Lift Station Improvement Project - which includes important work the City is completing underground before even more developments are built above ground and north of Interstate 80 as our community continues to expand.

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UPDATES

July 29, 2024 - City Expanding Sewer System to Support Growth North of Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange

On July 16^th, 2024, Bettendorf City Council unanimously approved a resolution to begin the Spencer Creek Lift Station Improvements Project. The next step in the process is a Public Hearing on August 20^th, followed by another vote to consider awarding contracts to the low bidders.

The Spencer Creek Lift Station Improvements Project is a $10.3M major sanitary sewer expansion, providing gravity sewer to the incorporated areas of the City north of the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange.

"The initial build-out of the lift station will service nearly 1,800 acres," said Brent Morlok, City Engineer. "This aligns with our population growth predictions for the next 20 years. The design was done in coordination with our newly updated Future Land Use Map for that area, which was also approved by City Council on July 16^th." (For details on the City's Comprehensive Plan, click here.)

Additionally, this project will remove two existing lift stations in residential subdivisions north of Forest Grove Drive, provide gravity sewer for a 110-acre potential development near Forest Grove Drive and Wells Ferry Road, and be easily expandable for future growth north of the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange.

"The potential total service area north of Interstate 80 would be approximately 5,800 acres at full build-out," said Morlok. "Sewer work is not nearly as visual to the public compared to a new trail or roadway, but this project is immensely important to Bettendorf's continued growth. The improvements being made with the reconstruction of the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange will only put more pressure on the City to be ready for development to the north and this sewer is the first step."

The project will be paid for using the Iowa State Revolving Fund (SRF). SRF provides cities with low-interest loans to construct infrastructure with a focus on clean water.

As the City prepares for northern growth, more development is taking place in several spots south of the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange:

• ORA Orthopedics (5250 Competition Drive)
• QCR Holdings (Southeast Corner of Middle Road and Forest Grove Drive)
• Commercial Complex (West of TBK Bank Sports Complex)
• TBK Bank Sports Complex Extension (6925 Iron Tee Way)
• Springhill Suites (5235 Competition Drive)

"The area surrounding the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange is an economic engine for our region," said Jeff Reiter, Assistant City Administrator and Economic Development Director. "More than $250M has already been invested and there's more than $600M in planned investments. We're continuing to see inquiries about other spaces in this corridor and are excited about the transformation in this area."

"Since opening in 2018, the TBK Bank Sports Complex has become a national footprint for youth sports events and an economic catalyst," said Decker Ploehn, City Administrator. "More than 1.5M people visit the area surrounding the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange every year and that number is expected to rise to 2.5M visitors a year as we see this growth continue."

Another development in the works is the Gateway Bridge, which will be located just south of the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange. The Gateway Bridge will allow walkers, runners, and bicyclists to cross Middle Road safely as well as connect our regional trail system between Davenport and LeClaire.

The design of the Gateway Bridge is currently being finalized by HDR, with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2025. Recreational trail work to accommodate the bridge will begin in the fall of 2024.

TASK	ESTIMATED TIME FRAME	PROGRESS STATUS	RESPONSIBILITY
Agreement Approved	February 2022	Complete	City of Bettendorf/HDR Design Team
30% Design Development	January 2024	Complete	HDR Design Team
60% Design Development	Summer 2024	In Progress	HDR Design Team
Construction Documents	Fall 2024	Upcoming	HDR Design Team
Bidding Phase	Fall 2024	Upcoming	City of Bettendorf/HDR Design Team
Construction	Fall 2024 to Spring 2026	Upcoming	TBD

The Gateway Bridge will be funded with General Obligation Bonds and paid for using tax revenue created from the commercial development in the area surrounding the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange. The City does not intend to raise property taxes to pay for the bonds.

The Gateway Bridge also coincides with a major state project. The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to reconfigure the Interstate 80/Middle Road Interchange beginning in 2025 - an estimated $69M investment:

May 23, 2024 - Progress Update on the Gateway Bridge

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, City Council approved a resolution that updates HDR's contract, which now allows the firm to finalize the design of the Gateway Bridge and the elevated trail sections on both sides which will take walkers, runners, and bicyclists safely from one side of Middle Road to the other.

The City is also excited to announce that a major section of the remaining trail network to be built in the TBK Bank Sports Complex Area was recently awarded federal funding. A Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TASA) Grant was received for an extension to the Middle Road Recreational Trail from Hopewell Avenue to Forest Grove Drive. The $525,000 grant will allow the City to finish the Middle Road Trail System coming from the south, with an anticipated start date of Spring 2025.

February 20, 2024 - Funding Mechanism in Place for the Gateway Bridge

On Tuesday, February 20^th, Baker Tilly - a Municipal Advisor to the City of Bettendorf - held a Bond Sale (Information at 37:00 into Meeting) during which the City sold $15,615,000 of General Obligation Bonds for various Community Improvement Projects (CIP), Stormwater Improvements, and Urban Renewal Projects such as the Gateway Bridge. $2,000,000 of the bonds will be utilized to fund the initial construction of the bridge later this year. That work is anticipated to include preliminary earthwork for the bridge and trails, as well as potentially some trail construction. The design of the bridge and trails is currently progressing, with an anticipated bid date in Fall 2024. To pay for the bonds, the City will use new tax revenue created from the adjacent commercial development north of Forest Grove Drive and east of Middle Road. The City does not intend to raise property taxes to pay for the bonds.

December 20, 2023 - Timeline Announced for the Gateway Bridge

There are two main "entrances" into the City of Bettendorf - Interstate 74 and Interstate 80. In December 2021, our community celebrated the opening of the new I-74 Bridge. Now, two years later, the City is honoring that iconic arch by announcing the timeline of another arch at I-80 and Middle Road. The Gateway Bridge is not for motorists, however. Instead, it will allow people to safely walk, run, or bike over Middle Road.

"This connects the TBK Bank Sports Complex Corner with the Iron Tee Corner of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road," said Jeff Reiter, Assistant City Administrator and Economic Development Director. "As an added bonus, it serves as a connector in our regional trail system between Davenport and LeClaire and allows walkers, runners, and cyclists a spot to stop in this awesome tourism destination and take a well-deserved break in one of the many amenities offered in this growing area of our community."

The Gateway Bridge was revealed in February 2022 as part of an announcement for the expansion of The Plex Corridor (To learn more, click here), which included the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project. This was the next exciting step years in the making stemming from a goal of the Bettendorf City Council - to have a regional youth sports complex that was privately-owned.

"Since opening in 2018, the TBK Bank Sports Complex has become a national footprint for youth sporting events," said Decker Ploehn, City Administrator. "Not only that, it's an economic catalyst. What's been created in this area has far exceeded our expectations and we cannot be more excited for continued growth - including seeing the 'Gateway Bridge" come to fruition."

The Gateway Bridge is currently in the design phase, which is about 40% complete and expected to be finished in Summer 2024. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2024. As the design phase progresses, the funding mechanism for this project is also taking shape. On December 5^th, the Bettendorf City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the I-80 Urban Renewal Plan, which allows the City to increase its capacity to bond up to $11 million. To pay for the bonds, the City will use tax revenue created from the area where the Gateway Bridge will stand and support the I-80 and Middle Road Corridor.

"The City does not intend to raise taxes to pay for these bonds and we will continue to submit grants to pay for other parts of the project," said Ploehn.

The Gateway Bridge also coincides with a major state project. The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to reconfigure the I-80 and Middle Road Interchange beginning in 2025 - an estimated $58 million investment.

"This investment is yet another example of the success we're seeing in this area and the reason why we need to provide a grand entrance for visitors and residents to see how special Bettendorf and the Quad Cities are. We are excited to move forward," said Reiter.