Wisconsin and Iowa to Close Black Hawk Bridge and Launch Car Ferry Service for Mississippi River Crossing

Wisconsin and Iowa will soon close the Black Hawk Bridge that carries WIS 82/IA 9 over the Mississippi River between Crawford County, Wisconsin, and Lansing, Iowa. According to a joint announcement from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) on October 7, 2025, the existing bridge is being taken out of service so crews can safely build a replacement. The plan calls for shutting the current bridge to traffic at about 7 a.m. on Monday, October 20. Once the crossing is closed, crews will begin demolishing the old structure and continue work on a modern bridge expected to open in spring 2027.

Local residents and travelers will not be cut off when the bridge closes. WisDOT and Iowa DOT have secured the permits and environmental clearances needed to operate a free car ferry across the river. The agencies expect the ferry service to begin in early November. The ferry will provide an alternative way to cross the river while construction proceeds; it will carry two‑axle vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, but cannot accommodate large trucks or buses. The ferry landings will be built at the Lansing marina on the Iowa side and near the new bridge site in Wisconsin. Work crews are already preparing the landing sites with docks, vehicle queuing areas, informational signs and lighting.

Once the existing bridge closes, travelers who cannot use the ferry will need to take detour routes. The nearest highway bridge is about 30 miles south on U.S. Highway 18 between Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Marquette, Iowa. WisDOT and Iowa DOT will post detour signs and use electronic message boards to direct drivers. Information will also be posted on the agencies’ websites, the 511 Wisconsin and 511 Iowa travel information services, and the project’s Facebook page. Residents can sign up for email updates so they know when the ferry will begin and how it will operate.

Transportation officials say closing the Black Hawk Bridge is necessary because remaining construction stages on the new bridge pose a safety risk to the aging structure. “We are very pleased that federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the city of Lansing, could work together and quickly approve the necessary steps to allow us to provide this critical service,” said Iowa DOT Director Scott Marler. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman added that the project will deliver a modern bridge that preserves the scenic beauty of the Mississippi River while enhancing safety for all users.

The car ferry and detour plans underscore the agencies’ commitment to keeping communities connected throughout the multi‑year construction project. By planning ahead and understanding their options, drivers can continue to access both sides of the river during this significant infrastructure upgrade.