[p]Today, we’re excited to give you a closer look at one of the key cities featured in our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. Situated on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Moline is a destination where industry, history, and scenic beauty all come together. Let's see what's happening in Moline! 

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Founded in the mid-1800s, Moline grew quickly thanks to its location along the river, which provided both transport and power for early manufacturing. Over time, the city became an important part of the Quad Cities region. Today, it remains a vibrant community that blends its history with the modern role it plays in the Midwest.

As some may know, Moline is home to one of the world’s largest agricultural machinery production facilities, which has been central to the city’s growth. In-game, this is represented by the harvester works depot, a major hub where players can pick up and deliver jobs tied to agricultural equipment. The company’s presence has shaped the region with multiple factories and facilities, making this landmark an essential part of the city’s economy and our in-game representation.

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Moline also features a number of landmarks and points of interest that add to its character. One of these is Bridge Point 485, originally constructed as a testing facility for the Montgomery Elevator Company. Its distinctive tower was once used for high-speed elevator trials, which still stands as a recognizable feature on the city’s riverfront. 

Drivers will also be able to spot the Western Illinois University Quad Cities campus, which occupies a former tech center located right along a small road which runs parallel to the Mississippi River unsurprisingly called River Drive. 

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Speaking of rivers, we’ve also included a stretch of the Great River Road, an officially designated All-American Road recognized for its cultural and scenic significance. Bringing this route into the game allowed us to highlight a nationally important roadway that carries one-of-a-kind features and history along the Mississippi River.

From a cultural and historical perspective, you’ll also find two notable churches included in our recreation of Moline. One of these, a former Scottish Rite Cathedral, has since been converted into a local theater, reflecting the city’s evolving identity and community use of its historic architecture.

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9084219/c13d6a09fa855ee1436de5a7b987e8a4ae4a9072.jpg"][/img][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9084219/3970b4f9a0b0d931db270b3b1e4f2010f283047d.jpg"][/img]

Bringing Moline into the game "was like an interesting puzzle." Quinten, one of our Map Designers tells us. With Davenport, Iowa right across the river, we needed to carefully scale and adapt the city so the two would feel connected yet distinct. The focus was on what makes Moline special, its industrial heritage, riverfront character, and recognizable landmarks, without causing conflict or overwhelming the area. [/p][p]
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We hope you enjoyed this look into Moline and what you can expect to see on your future visits to the Prairie State. If you like what you see, don’t forget to add Illinois to your Steam Wishlist. Until next time, keep on truckin’! [/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3486960/American_Truck_Simulator__Illinois/"][/dynamiclink][/p]