LANSING, Iowa (KCRG) – Construction crews continue to make significant strides on the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, hitting a major milestone this week. According to a project update posted on Facebook, the Wisconsin side of the structure now has a completed concrete deck.

The deck pour on Tuesday involved 51 truckloads of concrete, all pumped from the ground up to the bridge’s 43-foot-wide by 364-foot-long platform. Crews spent over six and a half hours laying down the material in one continuous process to ensure consistency and strength.

“The concrete must cure under burlap for the next week,” the update noted, allowing the material to strengthen evenly while protected from wind, sun, and temperature shifts.

Once curing is complete, another major pour is scheduled for the Iowa side in the coming weeks as the construction team keeps the multiyear project on track.

Background & Project Scope

The new bridge, jointly managed by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), is being built to replace the 90-year-old Black Hawk Bridge. The aging steel truss structure, while historically significant, no longer meets modern transportation needs or safety standards.

The replacement bridge is designed to accommodate today’s heavier traffic volumes, including freight haulers and farm equipment, while improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. When complete, the new bridge will offer wider lanes, shoulders, and upgraded barriers.

Engineering Challenges and Progress

The recent deck pour is among the most technically challenging aspects of the bridge construction. Coordinating 51 trucks to deliver concrete in sequence without delays required precision timing and ideal weather. Any disruption could have compromised the strength or uniformity of the deck.

Crews used a high-efficiency concrete pump to lift material from staging areas on the ground up to the elevated work surface, spanning 364 feet across the Wisconsin approach.

Further upcoming work includes:

• Iowa-side deck pours
• Barrier wall installation
• Drainage and runoff systems
• Electrical and lighting conduit
• Final surfacing and striping

Economic and Regional Impact

Once completed, the bridge will strengthen a vital transportation link between northeastern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin. Local farmers, manufacturers, and tourism operators all rely on the crossing for daily commerce.

The bridge project also supports dozens of regional construction jobs and has attracted federal infrastructure funding under programs aimed at improving rural mobility.

According to the Iowa DOT, the improved crossing will reduce maintenance costs, eliminate detour routes during flooding, and enhance emergency response coordination across state lines.

Community Reactions

Many residents of Lansing and surrounding communities have welcomed the progress. The old Black Hawk Bridge, while a beloved local landmark, is often viewed as narrow, intimidating, and outdated.

“We’ve waited a long time for this,” said one local business owner. “It’s great to see real progress being made. This new bridge means better access, more customers, and peace of mind for all of us who cross it every day.”

The old bridge will remain in use until the new structure is complete, at which point it will be dismantled. Historic preservation groups have documented the original structure, and parts of it may be repurposed for memorial or artistic use.

Looking Ahead

Weather permitting, additional deck work and finishing components will continue into late 2025, with the full bridge expected to open to traffic by early 2026.

Both Iowa DOT and WisDOT continue to post updates and photos of the construction progress on their websites and social media platforms, encouraging residents to stay informed and cautious near active work zones.

Originally reported by KCRG Staff in KCRG.