AASHTO Journal - Iowa, Wisconsin Finishing Mississippi River Bridge Early

The Iowa Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Transportation expect to complete the joint Iowa 9 / WIS 82 Mississippi River Crossing bridge – which connects Lansing in Allamakee County, IA, to rural Crawford County, WI – ahead of their original timeline, with both agencies expecting to open the bridge to traffic in early November 2026, instead of the initial planned opening in spring 2027.

[Above photo by Iowa DOT]

The Mississippi River Crossing project has been proceeding since late 2023. The prior bridge was closed permanently in late 2025 and demolished in December 2025. Project staff credited the early opening plans to the concentrated work of the contractors and subcontractors, which has also been aided by favorable weather and river conditions.

Iowa DOT and Wisconsin DOT stressed, however, that the exact bridge opening date will not be established for several weeks as construction continues.

Even after the bridge opens to traffic, both agencies noted that there will be additional work to be completed outside of the main traffic lanes.

Additionally, since November 2025, Iowa DOT and Wisconsin DOT have provided a free car ferry service through two different operators. In all, the ferry service has carried almost 131,000 vehicles over the river through the end of August 2026.

When the bridge opens to traffic, the current car ferry service will be discontinued and the project will restore the ferry landing areas, both agencies said.

Concurrently, motorists who cannot or choose not to use the ferry have used a marked detour route on the U.S. 18 bridge connecting Marquette, IA, and Prairie du Chien, WI, about 30 miles south of the crossing at Lansing.

“This is incredible news for Lansing, its neighboring communities in Wisconsin, and everyone who lives and works in the region,” noted Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) in a statement. “I commend Iowa DOT and their colleagues at Wisconsin DOT along with all the consultants and contractors – most notably Kraemer North America – for their outstanding teamwork on this critical project. What a wonderful gift, and just in time for the holiday season and winter travel.”