Black Hawk Bridge: Difference between revisions

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== Closure ==

The bridge has been subject to periodic closures in recent years. In August 2011 the bridge was briefly closed for repairs after a crack was found in a floor beam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iowa 9 bridge closed over the Mississippi River at Lansing |work=news.iowadot.gov |url=http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/08/iowa-9-bridge-closed-over-the-mississippi-river-at-lansing.html |access-date=18 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iowa DOT to reopen Iowa 9 bridge over the Mississippi River at Lansing today |work=news.iowadot.gov |url=http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/08/iowa-dot-to-reopen-iowa-9-bridge-over-the-mississippi-river-at-lansing-today.html |access-date=24 August 2011}}</ref>

The bridge has been subject to periodic closures in recent years. In August 2011 the bridge was briefly closed for repairs after a crack was found in a floor beam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iowa 9 bridge closed over the Mississippi River at Lansing |work=news.iowadot.gov |url=http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/08/iowa-9-bridge-closed-over-the-mississippi-river-at-lansing.html |access-date=August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iowa DOT to reopen Iowa 9 bridge over the Mississippi River at Lansing today |work=news.iowadot.gov |url=http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/08/iowa-dot-to-reopen-iowa-9-bridge-over-the-mississippi-river-at-lansing-today.html |access-date=August 2011}}</ref>

The Iowa Department of Transportation temporarily closed the Black Hawk Bridge on Highway 82 on February 25, 2024, citing structural integrity concerns following movement of two bridge piers. The department performed emergency repairs of the bridge,<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Kyle |date=~~2024-02-~~26 |title=Black Hawk Bridge on Highway 82 Shut Down for Safety Inspection |url=https://iowaspulse.com/black-hawk-bridge-on-highway-82-shut-down-for-safety-inspection/ |access-date=~~2024-02-~~26 |website=Iowa Pulse |language=en-US}}</ref> which was reopened to traffic on April 20, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Hawk Bridge back open to traffic after repairs are completed, bridge tested {{!}} The Standard Newspaper |url=http://www.waukonstandard.com/articles/2024/04/24/black-hawk-bridge-back-open-traffic-after-repairs-are-completed-bridge-tested |access-date=2024~~-06-08~~ |website=www.waukonstandard.com}}</ref> On May 18, 2025, the bridge was closed again due to a shifting pier,<ref>{{Cite web |date=~~2025-05-~~19 |title=Safety concerns shut down bridge crossing Mississippi River into Iowa |url=https://www.wpr.org/news/safety-concerns-shut-down-black-hawk-bridge-mississippi-river-iowa |access-date=~~2025-05-~~20 |website=WPR |language=en-US}}</ref> with a temporary passenger-only water taxi service beginning June 4, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Free water taxi service set to launch Wednesday while Black Hawk Bridge is closed |url=https://www.news8000.com/news/local-news/free-water-taxi-service-set-to-launch-wednesday-while-black-hawk-bridge-is-closed/article_e65b8bd2-6cb1-4189-995c-8ef567fab343.html |access-date=2025~~-06-03~~ |website=News8000.com |language=en}}</ref> The bridge was re-opened June 9, 2025; but additional closes were expected related to construction of the new bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Lansing, Iowa, bridge over the Mississippi River reopens, but more closures are coming |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2025/06/09/lansing-iowa-black-hawk-bridge-mississippi-river-iowa-dot-closure-water-tax/84115393007/ |access-date=~~2025-06-~~12 |website=The Des Moines Register |language=en-US}}</ref> The old bridge permanently closed on October 20, 2025, to safely allow for continued construction of the new bridge and demolition of the old bridge; leaving no direct road crossing for about 2 years. A temporary car ferry service is planned for early November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Evan |date=~~2025-07-~~15 |title=Bridge connecting Wisconsin to Iowa over Mississippi River will be demolished |url=https://www.wpr.org/news/bridge-wisconsin-iowa-mississippi-river-will-be-demolished |access-date=~~2025-07-~~17 |website=WPR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite ~~web~~ |date= |title=Lansing bridge will close tomorrow, more than a year ahead of new bridge’s opening |url=https://www.thegazette.com/news/lansing-bridge-over-the-mississippi-will-close-monday-with-opening-of-new-bridge-more-than-a-year-a/ |access-date=~~2025-10-~~20 |~~website~~=The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA) |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025~~-10-07~~ |title=Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Crossing Project Announces Bridge Closure Date and Plans for Car Ferry Service {{!}} Department of Transportation |url=https://iowadot.gov/news/2025-10-07/iowa-9wis-82-mississippi-river-crossing-project-announces-bridge-closure-date-and-plans-car-ferry |access-date=~~2025-10-~~20 |website=iowadot.gov |language=en}}</ref>

The Iowa Department of Transportation temporarily closed the Black Hawk Bridge on Highway 82 on February 25, 2024, citing structural integrity concerns following movement of two bridge piers. The department performed emergency repairs of the bridge,<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Kyle |date=26 |title=Black Hawk Bridge on Highway 82 Shut Down for Safety Inspection |url=https://iowaspulse.com/black-hawk-bridge-on-highway-82-shut-down-for-safety-inspection/ |access-date=26 |website=Iowa Pulse |language=en-US}}</ref> which was reopened to traffic on April 20, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Hawk Bridge back open to traffic after repairs are completed, bridge tested {{!}} The Standard Newspaper |url=http://www.waukonstandard.com/articles/2024/04/24/black-hawk-bridge-back-open-traffic-after-repairs-are-completed-bridge-tested |access-date=2024 |website=www.waukonstandard.com}}</ref> On May 18, 2025, the bridge was closed again due to a shifting pier,<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 |title=Safety concerns shut down bridge crossing Mississippi River into Iowa |url=https://www.wpr.org/news/safety-concerns-shut-down-black-hawk-bridge-mississippi-river-iowa |access-date=20 |website=WPR |language=en-US}}</ref> with a temporary passenger-only water taxi service beginning June 4, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Free water taxi service set to launch Wednesday while Black Hawk Bridge is closed |url=https://www.news8000.com/news/local-news/free-water-taxi-service-set-to-launch-wednesday-while-black-hawk-bridge-is-closed/article_e65b8bd2-6cb1-4189-995c-8ef567fab343.html |access-date=2025 |website=News8000.com |language=en}}</ref> The bridge was re-opened June 9, 2025; but additional closes were expected related to construction of the new bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Lansing, Iowa, bridge over the Mississippi River reopens, but more closures are coming |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2025/06/09/lansing-iowa-black-hawk-bridge-mississippi-river-iowa-dot-closure-water-tax/84115393007/ |access-date=12 |website=The Des Moines Register |language=en-US}}</ref> The old bridge permanently closed on October 20, 2025, to safely allow for continued construction of the new bridge and demolition of the old bridge; leaving no direct road crossing for about 2 years. A temporary car ferry service is planned for early November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Evan |date=15 |title=Bridge connecting Wisconsin to Iowa over Mississippi River will be demolished |url=https://www.wpr.org/news/bridge-wisconsin-iowa-mississippi-river-will-be-demolished |access-date=17 |website=WPR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite |date= |title=Lansing bridge will close tomorrow, more than a year ahead of new bridge’s opening |url=https://www.thegazette.com/news/lansing-bridge-over-the-mississippi-will-close-monday-with-opening-of-new-bridge-more-than-a-year-a/ |access-date=20 |=The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, ) |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Crossing Project Announces Bridge Closure Date and Plans for Car Ferry Service {{!}} Department of Transportation |url=https://iowadot.gov/news/2025-10-07/iowa-9wis-82-mississippi-river-crossing-project-announces-bridge-closure-date-and-plans-car-ferry |access-date=20 |website=iowadot.gov |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Black Hawk Bridge Iowa – Wisconsin.jpg|thumb|420px|center|Black Hawk Bridge from Wisconsin to Iowa]]

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==Replacement==

The old bridge had a sufficiency rating of 39.9 percent, which mainly reflected its [[obsolete]] nature. The Iowa Department of Transportation began planning for a replacement bridge, with feasibility studies beginning in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.waukonstandard.com/articles/2017/08/16/public-learns-more-august-8-meeting-about-iowa-dot-study-potential-replacement |title=Public learns more at August 8 meeting about Iowa DOT study for potential replacement of Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing |last=Cantine-Maxson |first=Susan |website=www.waukonstandard.com |language=en |access-date=~~2018-07-~~13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2018/05/iowa-9-black-hawk-bridge-in-allamakee-county-to-be-discussed-may-15-in-lansing.html |title=Iowa 9 (Black Hawk) Bridge In Allamakee County to be Discussed May 15 in Lansing |last=Iowa Department of Transportation |date=May 3, 2018 |website=www.news.iowadot.gov |language=en |access-date=~~2018-07-~~13}}</ref> It was revealed during a meeting on June 15, 2021, that the replacement bridge’s design would look extremely similar to the current bridge’s design while either retaining the pier’s design or adopting a newer wave design.<ref>{{Cite web|title=June 15 meeting by Iowa DOT reveals location and design of Black Hawk Bridge replacement, explains environmental assessment {{!}} The Standard Newspaper|url=https://www.waukonstandard.com/articles/2021/06/23/june-15-meeting-iowa-dot-reveals-location-and-design-black-hawk-bridge|access-date=2021~~-07-08~~|website=www.waukonstandard.com}}</ref> A design similar to the original bridge was ultimately chosen; construction of the new bridge began in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing |url=https://iowadot.gov/lansingbridge |access-date=2024~~-06-08~~ |website=iowadot.gov}}</ref>

The old bridge had a sufficiency rating of 39.9 percent, which mainly reflected its [[obsolete]] nature. The Iowa Department of Transportation began planning for a replacement bridge, with feasibility studies beginning in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.waukonstandard.com/articles/2017/08/16/public-learns-more-august-8-meeting-about-iowa-dot-study-potential-replacement |title=Public learns more at August 8 meeting about Iowa DOT study for potential replacement of Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing |last=Cantine-Maxson |first=Susan |website=www.waukonstandard.com |language=en |access-date=13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2018/05/iowa-9-black-hawk-bridge-in-allamakee-county-to-be-discussed-may-15-in-lansing.html |title=Iowa 9 (Black Hawk) Bridge In Allamakee County to be Discussed May 15 in Lansing |last=Iowa Department of Transportation |date=May 3, 2018 |website=www.news.iowadot.gov |language=en |access-date=13}}</ref> It was revealed during a meeting on June 15, 2021, that the replacement bridge’s design would look extremely similar to the current bridge’s design while either retaining the pier’s design or adopting a newer wave design.<ref>{{Cite web|title=June 15 meeting by Iowa DOT reveals location and design of Black Hawk Bridge replacement, explains environmental assessment {{!}} The Standard Newspaper|url=https://www.waukonstandard.com/articles/2021/06/23/june-15-meeting-iowa-dot-reveals-location-and-design-black-hawk-bridge|access-date=2021|website=www.waukonstandard.com}}</ref> A design similar to the original bridge was ultimately chosen; construction of the new bridge began in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing |url=https://iowadot.gov/lansingbridge |access-date=2024 |website=iowadot.gov}}</ref>

[[File:Lansing (Black Hawk Bridge) construction and closure.jpg|thumb|center|Lansing (Black Hawk Bridge) construction and temporary closure 27 ~~Feb~~ 2024.]]

[[File:Lansing (Black Hawk Bridge) construction and closure.jpg|thumb|center|Lansing (Black Hawk Bridge) construction and temporary closure 2024.]]

== In popular culture ==

The old bridge was featured in a scene from the 1999 film ”[[The Straight Story]]”, when Alvin Straight is depicted crossing the Mississippi River near the end of his {{Convert|240|mi|km|0|adj=mid}} journey.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://crgazette.newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette/1998-10-15/ |title=Mower man film rolling |last=Lynch |first=James Q. |date=October 15, 1998 |~~work~~=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)|The Gazette]] |location=[[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]] |access-date=July 23, 2018}}</ref>

The old bridge was featured in a scene from the 1999 film ”[[The Straight Story]]”, when Alvin Straight is depicted crossing the Mississippi River near the end of his {{Convert|240|mi|km|0|adj=mid}} journey.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://crgazette.newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette/1998-10-15/ |title=Mower man film rolling |last=Lynch |first=James Q. |date=October 15, 1998 |=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)|The Gazette]] |location=[[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]] |access-date=July 23, 2018}}</ref>

==See also==

Bridge in Wisconsin, River Mile

The Black Hawk Bridge spans the Mississippi River, joining the town of Lansing, in Allamakee County, Iowa, to rural Crawford County, Wisconsin. It is the northernmost Mississippi River bridge in Iowa.

Named for Chief Black Hawk, it is popularly referred to as the “Lansing bridge”. It carries Iowa Highway 9 and Wisconsin Highway 82.

This riveted cantilever through truss bridge^[1] has one of the more unusual designs of any Mississippi River bridge. Construction started in 1929 and was completed in 1931. The designer and chief engineer was Melvin B. Stone. The McClintic-Marshall Company of Chicago erected the trusses. The steel came from the Inland Steel Company.

The Wisconsin approach has a long causeway over Winneshiek bottoms (sloughs, ponds, and backwaters) before ramping up to the bridge itself. The main shipping channel is on the Iowa side. The Iowa approach is rather abrupt, going from a 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) city street straight up a steep ramp onto the bridge.

Originally a privately built and operated bridge owned by the Iowa-Wisconsin Bridge Company, it was closed between 1945 and 1957, due to damage from ice damming, and lacking funds to repair the bridge, the company went out of business. The two states acquired the bridge and repaired it.

The bridge has been subject to periodic closures in recent years. In August 2011 the bridge was briefly closed for repairs after a crack was found in a floor beam.^[2]^[3]

The Iowa Department of Transportation temporarily closed the Black Hawk Bridge on Highway 82 on February 25, 2024, citing structural integrity concerns following movement of two bridge piers. The department performed emergency repairs of the bridge,^[4] which was reopened to traffic on April 20, 2024.^[5] On May 18, 2025, the bridge was closed again due to a shifting pier,^[6] with a temporary passenger-only water taxi service beginning June 4, 2025.^[7] The bridge was re-opened June 9, 2025; but additional closes were expected related to construction of the new bridge.^[8] The old bridge permanently closed on October 20, 2025, to safely allow for continued construction of the new bridge and demolition of the old bridge; leaving no direct road crossing for about 2 years. A temporary car ferry service is planned for early November 2025.^[9]^[10]^[11]

Black Hawk Bridge from Wisconsin to Iowa

The old Black Hawk Bridge road was narrow.

The old bridge had a sufficiency rating of 39.9 percent, which mainly reflected its obsolete nature. The Iowa Department of Transportation began planning for a replacement bridge, with feasibility studies beginning in 2004.^[12]^[13] It was revealed during a meeting on June 15, 2021, that the replacement bridge’s design would look extremely similar to the current bridge’s design while either retaining the pier’s design or adopting a newer wave design.^[14] A design similar to the original bridge was ultimately chosen; construction of the new bridge began in September 2023.^[15]

Lansing (Black Hawk Bridge) construction and temporary closure February 27, 2024.

The old bridge was featured in a scene from the 1999 film The Straight Story, when Alvin Straight is depicted crossing the Mississippi River near the end of his 240-mile (386 km) journey.^[16]