LANSING, Iowa – April 14, 2026 – The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation are continuing to construct the Mississippi River Bridge Project at Lansing. As part of the overall project, the contractor is planning a controlled explosive demolition of one of the remaining piers from the previous bridge on Thursday, April 16. Most of the prior bridge was demolished and removed in December of 2025, but certain structures remain in place.
The April 16 action will use underwater explosives to demolish one of the concrete piers on the east side of the project near the Wisconsin landing. The demolition will require certain closures to ensure safety:
- The free car ferry service will be suspended for up to three hours on the afternoon of April 16. Exact closure times will be announced through the project Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/ and will be noted on Iowa 511 at 511ia.org.
- The car ferry landings on both the Iowa and Wisconsin sides will be completely closed. There are no other highway or street closures planned in either state.
- The main navigational channel of the Mississippi River will be closed to recreational and commercial vessels within a safe radius around the bridge. Enforcement will be present to ensure boaters are outside of the clear zone during this blast. This closure will begin in the afternoon, and last up to three hours. The Big Slough Boat landing will remain open during this time.
Area residents may hear the blast. However, the impact will occur underwater, so the sound may be muffled, and the blast may not be noticeable except very close to the river. There should be no impact to area homes or businesses from the blast.
The demolition could be delayed to Friday, April 17, due to weather or other considerations. Iowa DOT and WisDOT will issue 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 e-mail updates and view the Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/. 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/travel-tools/iowa-511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.
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For questions about this news release, please contact Clayton Burke at 515-290-2376 or clayton.burke@iowadot.us.
428 43rd St. SW.
Mason City, IA 50401