Media Advisory: Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing – Opening Ceremony

LANSING, Iowa — Oct. 30, 2026 — The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation are inviting media to cover opening ceremonies of the Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing on Nov. 6, 2026.

1. Starting at 11 a.m., the two states will host a brief ribbon cutting event in the middle of the bridge. Planned attendees include state, local, and project officials from Iowa and Wisconsin.
2. Shortly after, Main Street Lansing will host selected vehicles and drivers for a ceremonial first crossing.
3. The bridge will then be opened to regular traffic, likely around 12:30 p.m.

If inclement weather is forecast, the DOTs will consider options and issue updates on the afternoon of Nov. 5, 2026.

Media are invited to cover the events by following these instructions and protocols to ensure safety and to be able to open the bridge efficiently:

• The DOTs will provide a limited amount of event parking on the bridge that will be accessible from either Iowa 9/26 or WIS 82. Media must arrive by 10:45 a.m. to ensure access to on-bridge parking. Media are asked to use marked vehicles if possible, to help event staff identify media contacts and allow access to parking. Any media arriving after 10:45 a.m. may need to park in Lansing and walk to the bridge. Media may record footage prior to the event.
• Media (and guests) must follow on-site instructions by Iowa DOT personnel to observe the ceremonial first crossing.
• Media and guests will need to completely clear the bridge before it can be opened to traffic. Media may use safe public vantage points to observe regular traffic, including a public sidewalk immediately opposite the bridge on the west end in Lansing.
• The car ferry will operate on Nov. 6. Media may use the car ferry as needed to position vehicles or personnel on either side of the river or to capture footage. Media vehicles will not be given priority on the ferry and will need to wait with other users. All use of the ferry is subject to the instructions of the ferry operator.

Media are also advised that the DOTs have prepared interpretive displays commemorating the prior bridge at these locations:

Allamakee County Conservation Board

1944 Columbus Road

Lansing, Iowa 52151

Crawford County Historical Society

56302 County Road B

Ferryville, Wisconsin 54628

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 media advisory, please contact [email protected].

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