The permanent closure of the existing bridge over the Mississippi River from Lansing, Iowa, into Crawford County, Wisconsin is now less than two weeks away.
The Iowa and Wisconsin DOTs are proceeding with plans to close the existing Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River bridge as construction on a new bridge continues. The existing bridge (also known as the Black Hawk Bridge), will close to traffic at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday, October 20th.
Pete Hjelmstad with the Iowa DOT’s Mason City District office says the process of removing the bridge can then begin.
The two DOTs will initiate a free car ferry starting in early November to provide alternative service until construction of the new bridge is completed, which is projected for spring of 2027.
Ferry landing construction is already underway, and the exact start date for the ferry will be announced as the work progresses. 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.
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.
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 U.S. Highway 18, connecting Marquette, Iowa, to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
