The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), together with the Iowa Department of Transportation, will take the next step in the Mississippi River Crossing Project at Lansing with a planned implosion and removal of the main section of the existing bridge on Thursday, Dec. 18. The demolition is needed to allow construction of the new crossing to proceed safely with a planned opening in 2027.
The demolition of the main span will feature an implosion of the structure followed by removal of the debris from the Mississippi River. The existing bridge has been closed to traffic since October. While details are not final, these impacts are likely:
- A clear zone will be marked and enforced by the project contractor to protect anyone from bridge debris, and the contractor will directly contact all impacted property owners to mitigate any impacts from the implosion.
- The car ferry service will be suspended, with the last service offered on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 17 and will resume on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 21.
- IA 26 will be closed for a short period on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 18, as portions of the road are inside the clear zone.
- The US Army Corps of Engineers will have already closed the Mississippi River to commercial traffic before Thursday, Dec. 18. The river will also be closed to recreational boat traffic inside of the clear zone.
The implosion is planned for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18. Since there is strong public interest in the bridge, WisDOT and Iowa DOT officials are working closely with the project contractor, local officials, law enforcement and other government agencies to plan for safety, traffic, and other mitigation efforts before, during and after the implosion. Additional details about the clear zone and safety procedures for community members will be released by Monday, Dec. 15. The public is asked to watch for these procedures and to follow any law enforcement or official direction on the day of the implosion.
WisDOT and Iowa DOT will also provide information to media concerning a designated safe viewing area and project staff availability by Monday, Dec. 15.
The demolition could be delayed due to weather or other considerations. WisDOT and Iowa DOT will issue any updates about delays as needed.
For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge as well as updates on the existing bridge status, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge. Individuals may also sign up to receive email updates and view the Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/. Full information on the ferry is available at https://iowadot.gov/lansingcarferry.
The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.
