Black Hawk Bridge will be demolished this fall, leaving no crossing structure for more than a year

Commuters using the Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi River near Lansing and De Soto will be without a bridge for more than a year. According to an update from the Iowa DOT Monday, Project engineers decided on this plan after discussions with state DOTs and contractors determined that future construction stages could pose a risk to the safety of the existing bridge, which stands alongside the new bridge under construction. This fall, the agencies will close the existing bridge, also known as the Black Hawk bridge, to traffic. Crews will then demolish and remove the old structure so that full construction can continue to meet the planned 2027 opening for the new bridge. Since construction began in late 2023, the existing bridge has been temporarily closed twice due to safety concerns. Efforts are underway to find alternative river crossings to support local communities during the closure. This may include restoring water taxi services or using nearby crossings such as U.S. 18. Updates will be provided through various channels, including the project website and local media.