No Timeline for Mississippi River Bridge to Reopen at Lansing Amid Safety Concerns
For the second time in just over a year, the existing Mississippi River bridge at Lansing, Iowa, towards DeSot0, Wisconsin, has been closed amid structural safety concerns.
Iowa DOT engineer Clayton Burke says they had to close the structure on Saturday (05.17) night.
Burke says they’re also researching if construction on the new Black Hawk Bridge to the south of the existing bridge had any negative impact on the current bridge or if any unpermitted or oversized loads crossed the bridge.
Regardless, Burke says the existing bridge won’t re-open until it’s safe for all parties.
Motorists are advised to visit 511ia.org for the latest updates.
In February 2024, the existing bridge was closed because the structure had shifted, leading to a shutdown of a main artery connecting Iowa and Wisconsin for almost two months. Even pedestrian crossing over the bridge was cut off, while the DOT offered a water taxi and shuttle service to transport people back-and-forth across the river.
Like last year’s closure, motorists are being subjected to lengthy detours to cross between the two states, with the nearest bridges at La Crescent, Minnesota/Lacrosse, Wisconsin, or Marquette, Iowa/Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
