$165 million Iowa–Wisconsin Mississippi River bridge opens at Lansing

Iowa and Wisconsin transportation officials opened the new $165 million Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River bridge at Lansing on November 6, restoring the direct highway connection after the previous bridge was permanently closed and removed in late 2025.

The replacement uses about 11,400 cubic yards of concrete and 6,600 tons of steel. Its foundations extend 150 feet deep, nearly three times the depth of the 1931 structure, and the new crossing provides wider traffic lanes and shoulders. Iowa DOT expects it to carry roughly 2,500 vehicles per day and said the wider navigation channel will improve passage for commercial barges.

Iowa DOT Director Scott Marler marked the opening with federal, state and local officials. Project manager Clayton Burke was among the ribbon-cutting participants. More than 60 contractors, consultants and industry partners worked on the project, according to the department.

The opening ends the temporary car-ferry operation funded by Iowa DOT and Wisconsin DOT, which carried more than 160,000 vehicles during the closure. The $165 million figure is the reported bridge project cost, not a newly awarded contract.

Construction is not entirely finished. Remaining work includes restoring the ferry landing areas, removing old bridge piers and foundations, and additional deck work in spring 2027. Iowa DOT expects final completion in late spring 2027 and said the deck work may disrupt traffic but should not require a full closure. No new procurement was announced.