Meaningful connection: New Mississippi River bridge now open
Making the cut... earlier than anticipated ... Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Scott Marler and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (left to right in center of photo above) cut the ceremonious red ribbon that marks the opening of the new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing while other leaders from various aspects of the new bridge project grab hold and look on near the center of the structure Friday morning, November 6. Originally scheduled to open in the Spring of 2027, the earlier opening of the new bridge is a welcome achievement after the Black Hawk Bridge was permanently closed in October 2025 and imploded in December 2025, also much earlier than originally planned. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
by Julie Berg-Raymond
The new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing is open.
The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) hosted a ceremony Friday, November 6, beginning at 11 a.m., to celebrate the opening of the new Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing.
Speaking during the new bridge opening ceremony, and participating in the ribbon-cutting to commemorate the event, were Scott Marler, Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) director; Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers; Clayton Burke, Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) project director; Jerry Roche, Federal Highway Administration, Iowa Division; and Sherry Quamme, Wisconsin state chair of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge and sign up to receive updates directly to an email inbox, or check out the project’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, November 11, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
