Sept. 3, 2026
LANSING, Iowa — State transportation officials announced Thursday that the new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing will open to traffic in early November 2026, months ahead of its original spring 2027 schedule.
Project staff credited the accelerated timeline to the concentrated efforts of contractors and subcontractors, which were significantly aided by favorable weather and river conditions.
“This is incredible news for Lansing, its neighboring communities in Wisconsin, and everyone who lives and works in the region,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said in a statement. “What a wonderful gift, and just in time for the holiday season and winter travel.” Reynolds commended the teamwork of the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation, along with lead contractor Kraemer North America.
The construction represents the final chapter for the historic crossing. The original structure, known as the Black Hawk Bridge, first opened on June 17, 1931, as a vital link carrying Iowa Highway 9 and Wisconsin Highway 82 across the river. After ice damming caused a major closure from 1945 to 1957, the states of Iowa and Wisconsin acquired and repaired the bridge to restore interstate travel.
In recent years, the bridge’s obsolete design, narrow width, and a low structural sufficiency rating of 39.9 percent prompted state officials to plan a modern, $140 million replacement. Construction of the new bridge began in September 2023 directly alongside the active historic span.
However, the process of driving foundational piles for the new structure created vibrations that destabilized the old bridge. Following multiple safety closures due to shifting piers, transportation departments permanently shut down the Black Hawk Bridge on Oct. 20, 2025. The old bridge was ultimately demolished in a controlled implosion on Dec. 19, 2025.
The closure severed the only direct road crossing between Prairie du Chien and La Crosse, heavily impacting the region’s commuters. Approximately 2,200 to 2,500 vehicles had crossed the bridge daily, and more than 8,000 residents in the immediate vicinity relied on the route for routine travel.
To maintain connectivity, the states launched a free, 12-vehicle car ferry service on Nov. 3, 2025. Through the end of August 2026, the ferry has carried nearly 131,000 vehicles across the river. Motorists who chose not to or could not use the ferry faced a 30-mile detour south to the U.S. 18 bridge connecting Marquette, Iowa, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
When the new bridge opens in November, the ferry service will be discontinued, and crews will begin restoring the landing areas. Minor work will continue outside the main traffic lanes after the bridge is opened.
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