MASON CITY, Iowa – March 15, 2024 – Traveling between Lansing, Iowa, and Crawford County, Wisconsin, will become a bit easier on Monday, March 18, 2024, with the implementation of a free water taxi. This service will be in place until repairs are made to the existing bridge connecting the two states.
The Lansing Bridge, or the Blackhawk Bridge, that crosses the Mississippi River at Lansing Iowa has been closed since Sunday, Feb. 25 when engineers detected movement in the structure. It is unclear if that movement was caused by construction work going on right next to the existing bridge by crews constructing a replacement bridge, but the movement was detected in piers near the construction area. You can read our previous stories about that movement and the construction project here.
The bridge is expected to be closed for at least a couple of months, causing long commutes for who those work on the opposite side of the river, and is impacted small businesses dependent on tourism.
The water taxi will travel between the Lansing Marina and Big Slough Landing and will be available seven days a week on the following schedule.
- 7 to 10 a.m.
- 11 to 1 p.m.
- 3 to 6 p.m.
A one-way trip is estimated to take about 30 minutes. All riders will be required to get off the water taxi at each stop.
On the Iowa side, parking and a shuttle is available at the Lansing City Hall and Middle/Kee High School in Lansing.
Lansing City Hall
201 John Street
Lansing, IA 52151
Middle/Kee High School
269 Center Street
Lansing, IA 52151
Travelers on the Wisconsin side will need to park at the DeSoto Community Center and take a shuttle to the water taxi. Parking is not allowed at Big Slough Landing.
De Soto Community Center
57 Crawford Street
De Soto, WI 54624
For more information on the bridge replacement project you can go the Iowa and Wisconsin DOT wesbite.
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