LANSING, Iowa. (WKBT) — The Black Hawk Bridge connecting Crawford County, Wisconsin and Lansing, Iowa will shut down permanently Monday morning, marking the end of an era for the iconic Mississippi River crossing.

The closure begins at 7 a.m. Monday and represents the final shutdown for the bridge, which has closed temporarily multiple times since construction on its replacement began in 2023. Unlike previous closures, this one is permanent.

“To ensure safety, we’ve decided to close the existing bridge so we can proceed with the construction of the new bridge,” said Clayton Burke, project manager for the Department of Transportation.

The shutdown will significantly impact daily commuters who rely on the bridge to travel between the two states. Local resident Iver Peterson acknowledged the challenges ahead.

“It’s going to affect all the local people that commute back and forth from Wisconsin to Iowa. Two years… that’s going to be a big adjustment,” Peterson said.

Some residents made final trips across the bridge before its closure, wanting to experience the crossing one last time. Dale Lamb was among those taking a farewell journey.

“Just to know that it’s going to be gone and no longer in existence, I told myself I had to do it one last time,” Lamb said.

The new bridge won’t open until 2027, leaving commuters without their familiar route for nearly two years. To help ease the transition, the DOT will launch a free car ferry service starting in early November. The ferry will serve cars, bikes and pedestrians crossing the Mississippi River.

Until the ferry service begins, drivers will need to take longer alternate routes around the closure area.

Despite the inconvenience, some residents remain optimistic about the construction timeline.

“They’re doing the best they can. I’m sure they’ll be working hard to get it done quick… maybe even early,” Peterson said.

Demolition of the existing bridge is expected to begin immediately after the closure. DOT officials say detours will be clearly marked to help drivers navigate alternate routes.

Updates on the ferry service and construction progress will be posted on the Lansing Bridge Facebook page and at 511IA.org. Officials encourage commuters to check these resources regularly for the latest information about crossing options and construction updates.

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