Lansing Bridge closure date announced, free car ferry planned

Oct. 7, 2025

The existing WIS 82/IA 9 Mississippi River bridge between Crawford County and Lansing, Iowa, will close to traffic at about 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, as work continues on a replacement bridge, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Iowa Department of Transportation announced.

The closure affects the nearly century-old Black Hawk Bridge, a critical crossing for residents who travel regularly between rural Crawford County and Lansing; officials said the structure must be removed so construction of the new span can proceed safely and meet its projected opening in spring 2027.

To help maintain local travel, Iowa DOT and WisDOT plan to operate a free car ferry beginning in early November, pending completion of ferry landing work and final scheduling. Ferry landings are being built at the Lansing marina on the Iowa side and just south of the new bridge on the Wisconsin side, and site improvements include docks, vehicle queuing areas, signage and lighting.

“We are providing a new and modern structure that stretches across a beautiful and scenic stretch of the Mississippi River,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “The state and federal approvals confirm that we can build the bridge and offer the car ferry service while still maintaining the natural environment that makes this region so special.”

Transportation officials said recent construction stages on the new bridge pose a safety risk to the existing span, so crews will begin demolishing and removing the old structure once it closes on Oct. 20, allowing the replacement work to continue without delay.

State transportation leaders noted federal and state permits and environmental clearances are in place to allow the ferry and bridge work to proceed, and emphasized efforts to balance construction needs with protection of the river environment.

Local residents should expect significant travel impacts once the bridge closes; the next nearest Mississippi River crossings are in La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, creating much longer detours for routine trips between the two sides of the river. For updates on ferry operations, schedules and project details, officials said they will post information on project websites and project social media pages.

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. The car ferry will serve two-axle vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, but will not be able to accommodate trucks, buses, trailers, or other large vehicles.

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. The Iowa DOT and WisDOT project teams are also communicating closely with government officials and other stakeholders in the affected communities. The project website will soon feature an instruction and FAQ section about the car ferry service to help local residents prepare for that option. Individuals may also sign up to receive email updates.