Black Hawk Bridge closes permanently this month, ferry service starts in November

The Black Hawk Bridge connecting Wisconsin and Iowa will close permanently at 7 a.m. on Monday, October 20, as construction continues on a replacement bridge. State transportation officials from both Wisconsin and Iowa announced the closure Tuesday, saying continued construction on the new bridge creates safety risks for drivers using the existing span. Iowa and Wisconsin will launch a free car ferry service in early November to maintain connectivity between communities. The ferry will operate until the new bridge opens in spring 2027. Construction crews are installing ferry landing areas on both sides of the river at the Lansing marina and in a staging area on the Wisconsin side just south of the new bridge. Drivers of larger vehicles will need to use alternate routes, with the nearest alternative crossing about 30 miles south at the Highway 18 bridge near Prairie du Chien and Marquette.