LANSING, Iowa – The Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi River, well past its prime at 93 years, has been closed to traffic – again. Authorities put barricades in place at both ends after monitors detected ominous structural movement overnight. The bridge had been on close watch for 16 months since shifts were first detected. Temporary fixes were made back. After 53 days the bridge reopened — until now. If the bridge collapses, it would drop 68 feet into the Mississippi River navigation channel. Such would block grain exports from the Upper Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico. The new closure of highway traffic already is problematic. The bridge is the only highway link across the river for 68 miles between LaCrosse and Prairie du Chien. Meanwhile a replacement span is under construction alongside the old bridge, but it won’t be completed until 2027.
Earlier: Ice being kept clear of Lansing bridge construction
Earlier: Temporary hold on Lansing bridge project
Earlier: Bridge at Lansing carrying traffic again
Earlier: Early-warning system failed on Lansing bridge