Iconic Bridge Connecting Wisconsin, Iowa To Be Closed Permanently

The Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, also known as the Black Hawk Bridge, is an iconic structure that has been serving Iowa and Wisconsin since 1931, except between 1945 and 1957, when damage from ice dams forced it to close.

The more than 1,700-foot bridge connects Iowa Highway 9 in Lansing, Iowa, to Wisconsin Highway 82 in rural Crawford County, Wisconsin, and in recent years, officials in Iowa and Wisconsin announced the bridge would be replaced for several reasons, including its structural condition, safety, geometry, which makes it difficult for truck traffic, and more.

A new bridge is currently being constructed alongside the existing bridge, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), and the contractor have determined that future construction stages on the new bridge will pose a risk to the safety of the existing bridge.

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Therefore, the decision has been made to permanently close the existing bridge and provide an alternate way for people to cross the river until the new bridge is finished.

Mississippi River Bridge At Lansing To Permanently Close

This week, WisDOT, along with the Iowa DOT, announced plans to close the existing WIS 82 / IA 9 Mississippi River bridge between Crawford County, Wisconsin, and Lansing, Iowa, as construction continues on the new bridge.

The existing bridge, also known as the Black Hawk Bridge, will officially close to traffic at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday, October 20.

Once the existing bridge closes on that day, crews will start to demolish and remove the old structure so that construction on the new bridge can meet the planned 2027 opening.

Free Ferry Service To Be Provided Until New Bridge Opens

Iowa DOT and WisDOT are initiating a free car ferry starting in early November to provide an alternative way to cross the river until the new bridge is opened to the public. Ferry landing construction is already underway to install car ferry landings on both sides of the river.

On the Iowa side, the landing will be located at the Lansing marina, while the ferry will land on the Wisconsin side just south of the new bridge and adjacent to the construction staging area.

Planned site improvements at that site include:

Installation of ferry docks
Vehicle queuing areas
Directional
Informational signs, portable changeable message signs, lights, and other features.

On the Iowa side, improvements to railroad crossings at the entrance and exit points of the marina have been completed.

The car ferry service is moving ahead after federal and state government agencies approved permits and provided other environmental clearances.

“These approvals will allow us to install the infrastructure needed for a car ferry to keep our communities connected when the old bridge needs to be closed," stated Iowa DOT Director Scott Marler.

Who Is Allowed To Utilize The New Ferry Service?

It's important to note that while the car ferry will serve two-axle vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, it will not be able to accommodate trucks, buses, trailers, or other large vehicles.

Therefore, in addition to the car ferry, there will be marked detour routes when the bridge closes. The nearest highway bridge is approximately 30 miles south at US 18 connecting Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to Marquette, Iowa.

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The bridge closure date and car ferry service date will continue to be announced through Iowa DOT's project website, the Iowa DOT's project Facebook page, local media, on digital message signs on either end of the bridge, and through 511 Iowa and 511 Wisconsin.