DriftlessMode

10/06/2026

THE NEWS LANSING, IOWA, WISCONSIN, AND ALL LOCAL RESIDENTS, DRIFTLESS AREA TRAVELERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR: ***BRIDGE TO OPEN NOVEMBER 6!

Iowa and Wisconsin announce Nov. 6 opening for Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing

10/04/2026

ONE YEAR AGO, NO NEW BRIDGE IN SIGHT - Photos from first week in October, 2025, construction of the iron bridge expanse was only beginning. And look where the bridge is today. It so much resembles the old Black Hawk Bridge but with modern day engineering. Should be around for a good long while.

10/01/2026

WITH NEW LANSING BRIDGE OPENING SOON, GO FOR IT!

10/01/2026

TURNING THE CORNER ON BRIDGE COMPLETION - New Lansing bridge project manager Clayton Burke (Iowa DOT) reports that work continues to finish the roadway on the Iowa side of the bridge, along with finishing gaps in the safety railing at the expansion joints which are located at each end of the main truss on the edge of the bridge. “Most of the roadway on the Iowa side is complete,” Burke said via email. “but there are several final touches that are needed before it can be opened ... BUT WE’RE CLOSE.” Like: Concrete barrier rail where bridge access meets the roadway. It’s being poured around rebar for added strength. --Photo made BEFORE additional roadway concrete was poured, provided by Pete Hjelmstad, Field Services Coordinator, Iowa DOT

09/28/2026

COTTON TOP BLUFFS - Clouds hang over Wisconsin bluffs along the Mississippi River north of Ferryville in this throwback image from 2020.

09/18/2026

'PICTURE YOURSELF IN A BOAT ON A RIVER, WITH TANGERINE TREES AND MARMALADE SKIES.' -- From the Beatles song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." A barge tow sails down the Mississippi River south of Lansing, Iowa, at first light this morning... and minutes later the sky is gray.

09/16/2026

NEW BRIDGE COMPLETION IS IN SIGHT - From a mile away the new Lansing bridge looks finished. You might even spot a work truck creeping along its hard surface. It’s been officially announced to open this November BUT, there’s still a lot of work to be done before motor traffic once again rolls between Iowa and Wisconsin. This week top priority is construction of a southern safety railing on the edge of the bridge deck. “Among many other activities, we’re working hard on the sidewalk along IA 9 / IA 26,” said Clayton Burke, Iowa DOT project honcho for the new bridge. “This will allow us to start paving the adjacent southbound lane in the near future.” A few other activities from a lengthy list — removal of those round pill box shaped dolphins from the river and taking down the “crows nests” (those temporary work platforms along the top of the bridge used for keeping workers safe while installing bolts and painting.) When work is completed, Iowa DOT will perform an independent inspection of the entire structure prior to opening. Along with photos are ATTACHED lists of bridge and roadway work still to be done. At list’s end, notice the final activity — CELEBRATE!

09/12/2026

IRON LINES - A crossing pattern of iron structure dwarfs workmen on the new Lansing bridge a couple weeks ago.

09/04/2026

BRIDGE TO OPEN THIS NOVEMBER! - Not a rumor, news from LANSING, Iowa – Sept. 3, 2026 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) are announcing that the Iowa 9 / WIS 82 Mississippi River Crossing at Lansing is proceeding well ahead of the original timeline. The agencies expect to open the bridge to traffic in early November 2026, instead of the initial planned opening in spring 2027. GREAT NEWS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TRAVELERS!

08/26/2026

POURING IT ON - Concrete is poured! The final concrete pouring day, last Monday, finished the new bridge's center span as reported by the Iowa DOT. — 922 cubic yards of concrete were delivered on 95 trucks. New bridge workers on the Lansing side of the Mississippi River are shown doing their thing. --Aerial photos by Iowa DOT