Bridge across Mississippi River linking Wisconsin, Iowa closed for at least 2 months

LANSING, Iowa (WLCX) – The bridge connecting Wisconsin and Iowa is closed for at least two months due to structural issues.

The Iowa Department of Transportation said the Lansing Bridge, which is known as the Black Hawk Bridge in Wisconsin, won’t be re-opened until they can confirm that it is safe.

In a release Tuesday, the DOT said that two of the existing bridge piers moved, and that they are already working on stabilizing the two piers. That work will take up to two months.

The DOT said it was working on an alternative transportation plan for people that rely on the 93-year-old bridge.

Detouring around the bridge isn’t a simple task. The closest Mississippi River crossings for vehicles are a little over 30 miles to the south in Prairie du Chien, and about 35 miles to the north in La Crosse. Each detour is 75 to 90 minutes and covers a little over 60 miles.

A replacement bridge is already under construction and is set to open in the fall of 2026. DOT officials said that construction caused the existing bridge piers to move.

The current bridge was constructed in 1931. The new bridge will cost $140 million, with about 80% coming from federal funding and the rest split between Wisconsin and Iowa. Work began last fall on the new bridge.