Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge

The Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge is a road bridge that crosses the Mississippi River between Le Claire in Iowa and Rapids City in Illinois. The structure uses steel girders to support four traffic lanes that carry vehicles between the two states.

This bridge opened in 1966 and became an important milestone for connecting Illinois and Iowa through the Interstate Highway System. It replaced earlier crossings and made road transportation between the states much more efficient.

The bridge bears the name of Fred Schwengel, a United States Representative who supported transportation development in the Midwest region.

The bridge sees heavy daily traffic and serves as a major transportation hub between the two states. Drivers should expect steady vehicle flow, particularly during peak hours when crossing.

A major reconstruction project plans to transform the bridge into a dual-span structure with separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians. This would create a new way for people to cross between the two states without using vehicles.

Location: Illinois

Location: Iowa

Inception: October 27, 1966

Official opening: October 27, 1966

GPS coordinates: 41.58030,-90.36500

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00