Oct. 20, 2025
LANSING, Iowa — The nearly century-old Black Hawk Bridge, a crucial link between Iowa and Wisconsin, is scheduled to close permanently on Monday, Oct. 20, at 7 a.m., allowing construction crews to accelerate work on its replacement span.
The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) announced the closure, stating that future construction phases for the adjacent new bridge pose a safety risk to the existing structure, also known as the Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River bridge. The permanent closure comes after months of intermittent shutdowns and emergency repairs triggered by movement detected in the bridge’s piers during the construction of the new foundation.
The 94-year-old Black Hawk Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River between Lansing, Iowa, and Crawford County, Wisconsin, will be demolished later this year.
Timeline of Closures and Stabilization Efforts
Construction of the new bridge began last fall. However, the project has faced “hiccups,” with structural concerns causing unexpected closures of the existing bridge.
- Initial Closure (Early 2024): The bridge was closed for about two months due to shifting caused by the driving of pilings for the new bridge’s deep foundations.
- Initial Mitigation: During this closure, the Iowa and Wisconsin DOTs provided a passenger water taxi and shuttle service for commuters and tourists. This service included designated parking areas at Lansing City Hall in Iowa and the DeSoto Community Center in Wisconsin.
- Reopening (April 20, 2024): The bridge reopened after repairs and successful inspections, which temporarily ended the water taxi service.
- Second Closure (May 17): Sensors detected movement exceeding safety thresholds on May 17. The Iowa DOT closed the bridge out of safety concerns. This was described in one source as the “third closure” since construction began.
- Second Mitigation: The free water taxi service was restarted to help alleviate the inconvenience for motorists, businesses, and commuters.
- Reopening and Monitoring (June 9): Engineers declared the bridge safe for vehicle traffic again, and it was reopened on June 9. The DOT continued to monitor sensors for safety.
- Intermittent Closures Planned: Planned intermittent closures for construction activities (to reduce vibration) were anticipated later in the summer. However, these closures were delayed at one point due to high river water levels halting construction work on the new bridge.
Iowa DOT District Engineer Clayton Burke explained that the structural movement caused by driving the deep foundations and temporary shoring towers for the new bridge was a “big surprise” that ultimately forced the earlier permanent closure decision.
Timeline for Replacement and Alternatives
The existing bridge, which has served the area since 1931, must be removed to ensure construction on the new span can proceed safely and meet its target date.
Project Phase Timeline/Date Details Permanent Closure (Old Bridge) Monday, Oct. 20, 7 a.m. Closure date set by Iowa DOT and WisDOT. Demolition of the old structure will begin following the closure. New Bridge Construction Fall 2024–2026 The bulk of construction work will take place alongside the old bridge. Interim Crossing Service Start Early November A free car ferry service is scheduled to begin. Big Slough Bridge Approach Work Two weeks following Oct. 20 closure This two-week period, before the car ferry begins, will be utilized to replace the approach connecting to the narrow Big Slough Bridge (located east of the Black Hawk Bridge), avoiding a future closure later in the construction process. New Bridge Opening Spring 2027 The new bridge is projected to be fully functional.
Mitigation Efforts for Closure
To compensate for the loss of the critical crossing—which previously saw 2,200 to 2,500 vehicles daily—the DOTs have secured necessary approvals from federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, to provide alternative transportation.
Free Car Ferry Service The free car ferry service is a priority for the Iowa DOT and will provide an alternative crossing point across the main channel of the Mississippi River.
- Capacity: The ferry will accommodate two-axle vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
- Limitations: It will not be able to accommodate large vehicles such as trucks, buses, or trailers.
- Landings: Ferry landings are currently under construction at the Lansing marina on the Iowa side and just south of the new bridge site in Wisconsin.
Detour Routes Motorists needing to cross the river who cannot use the ferry will rely on marked detour routes. The nearest highway bridge is approximately 30 miles south at U.S. 18, connecting Marquette, Iowa, to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Future Bridge Design The replacement structure is designed to mimic the appearance of the old cantilever bridge, which has served as an icon for the region. The new bridge will feature wider lanes and eight-foot-wide shoulders to increase safety, along with a smoother, concrete deck. It will also increase the size of the navigation channel to ease passage for barges.
Updates on the ferry schedule and project status will be available on the Iowa DOT and Wisconsin DOT project websites, Facebook pages, and through 511 Iowa.
Add comment