Big X (interchange)
Big X | |
---|---|
Location | |
Colona, Illinois | |
Coordinates | 41°26′22″N 90°19′47″W / 41.43944°N 90.32972°W |
Roads at junction | |
Construction | |
Type | Cloverleaf interchange |
Maintained by | Illinois Department of Transportation |
The Big X is the junction of three
In the 1990s, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) petitioned the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the body which approves Interstate Highway route numbering, to switch the I-74 and I-80 designations around the Quad Cities to simplify the Big X. Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) officials did not submit an equal route renumbering proposal, so the route numbers were not switched.
Description
The Big X is located southeast of the
History
Before construction of the
In the early 1990s, the Illinois DOT proposed redesigning the interchange in order to reduce some confusion for drivers. The proposal was estimated to cost $18 million (equivalent to $36 million in 2023
The Illinois highway budget in 1996 included $6 million for exit and entrance ramps at the Big X (equivalent to $11 million in 2023[4]).[12] The first ramp to be rebuilt was the west-to-north ramp connecting two legs of westbound I-80. The new ramp allowed traffic to increase speeds from 45 to 55 mph (70 to 90 km/h) when compared to the old ramp.[13] Continued work was contingent on Illinois receiving $6 million from the federal government.[14]
References
- ^ Johnson, A.E. (November 10, 1958). "Interstate route numbering". Letter to R.R. Bartelsmeyer, Illinois Division of Highways Chief Highway Engineer.
- ^ Johnson, A.E. (November 10, 1958). "Interstate route numbering". Letter to John G. Butter, Iowa State Highway Commission Chief Engineer.
- ^ Gackle, Greg (October 20, 1976). "Renumbering decision frustrates Illinois figures". The Dispatch. p. 33. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Gross Domestic Product deflatorfigures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ^ Heitz, Dave (January 8, 1991). "Milan council backs 'common sense' remedy to interchange safety". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1C. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Barr, Linda (March 20, 1991). "RI council endorses interstate renaming". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 4A. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Reeder, Scott (December 31, 1991). "Alderman seeks funds from city for 'Big X' plan". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1A. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Reeder, Scott (February 2, 1991). "Q-C interstate name changes are in jeopardy unless a deal can be made". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1C. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Francois, Francis B. (June 7, 1991). "Interstate route numbering application". Letter to Kirk Brown, Illinois Secretary of Transportation.
- ^ Barr, Linda (February 28, 1992). "Task force says Big X needs work". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1C. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Tibbetts, Ed; Kauffman, Clark (July 2, 1993). "Status quo for Big X". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1M. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Hensley, Cathy; Laura, Cullen (May 9, 1996). "Let the roadwork begin!". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Reeder, Scott (November 29, 1997). "First part of 'Big X' improvement is complete". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Patterson, John C (April 2, 1998). "Rock River bridge receives state money". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. p. 1M. Retrieved May 19, 2022.