Hawkeye Reporter

The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation have announced a revised plan for the construction of a new bridge over the Mississippi River, connecting Lansing, Iowa, and Crawford County, Wisconsin. The existing bridge will be closed and demolished in the fall of 2025 to allow for the safe construction and opening of the new Iowa 9/WIS 82 bridge by 2027.

Project engineers made this decision after discussions with both state DOTs and the contractor, along with additional analyses. The new bridge is being built alongside the current structure, known as the Black Hawk Bridge. Concerns about safety risks to motorists, construction workers, rail traffic, and river traffic prompted this decision.

The existing bridge has been temporarily closed twice since construction began in late 2023. The first closure occurred in early 2024 due to displacement issues but reopened after stabilizing work. A second closure took place in May 2025 following sensor-detected movement; it was reopened after inspection and analysis.

Efforts are underway to find alternative river crossings for businesses and individuals affected by the closure. Options may include restoring water taxi services or other solutions, with viable roadway detours maintained. The nearest crossing is U.S. 18 between McGregor, Iowa, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

The exact date for closing the existing bridge will be announced later this year through various channels including local media and online platforms. The Iowa DOT and WisDOT are also coordinating with government officials and stakeholders in impacted communities.

For more information on the project or updates on the existing bridge status, visit iowadot.gov/lansingbridge or follow www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/. Travelers can access information through Iowa's 511 system via website or app.

Information from this article can be found here.