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Historic Black Hawk Bridge to be replaced

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Motorists might want to drive over, or take a look at, the historic Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing, Iowa one more time because the bridge is scheduled to be replaced and demolished in the coming years. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

By Ted Pennekamp

 

There have been numerous public meetings in recent months regarding the replacement of the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing, Iowa.

“We have had several meetings explaining the need for the new bridge, the location and what to expect during construction,” said Pete Hjelmstad, field services coordinator for District 2 of the Iowa Department of Transportation, the lead agency on the estimated $130 million project.

Hjelmstad said bid letting for the project is expected to be done in July of 2023. “We plan to start construction in the fall of 2023 and finish things up in the fall of 2025,” he said. 

Hjelmstad said the new bridge will be constructed just north of the Black Hawk Bridge. Construction will take place while the Black Hawk Bridge remains open. After the new bridge is complete, the Black Hawk Bridge will be demolished. 

“This project will be funded with money from federal funds, as well as money from Iowa and Wisconsin,” said Hjelmstad. “The current schedule has the Black Hawk Bridge remaining open except for approximately the last five months of construction in 2025. Given the concerns we received at the last public meeting about that long of a closure, we are looking at ways to hopefully shorten that time period.”

Hjelmstad said the new bridge will have two 12-foot travel lanes (one eastbound and one westbound) as well as 8-foot shoulders.

“The bridge at Lansing is a very important river crossing for people who both live and work in the area as well the tourists who visit the area,” said Hjelmstad. “Otherwise, they would be forced to lengthen their trip by traveling to Prairie du Chien or La Crosse.”

The Black Hawk Bridge (Wisconsin 82 and Iowa 9) spans the Mississippi River, connecting Crawford and Allamakee counties.

The bridge was built in 1931 as a cantilevered steel truss, three-span arch. The bridge has deteriorated over the years and various agencies have determined that the bridge is in need of replacement.

According to the Iowa DOT, the bridge has a navigational channel span of  650 feet. It is 67.5 feet above normal water elevation. The bridge has a total length of 1,653 feet. It is a 21-foot-wide travel way and has 18.5 feet of clearance. The bridge is historic, and the community has adopted its unique character.

The Black Hawk Bridge has the sharpest turn on the Mississippi River for barge traffic, and can be a bit of a challenge for tow boat captains.

Following construction of the new bridge, demolition of the Black Hawk Bridge is anticipated in 2026. It is not yet known if blasting will be allowed in the demolition of the superstructure or the substructure.

The new bridge will be a steel truss structure with a 750-foot navigational span. The vertical clearance will be 64 feet over the green light or mid-span. There is potential for main span construction off-site, according to the Iowa DOT. 

The construction staging area has yet to be determined. There will be roadway reconstruction on the west side and east end tie-ins.

A truss erection concept being considered involves the cantilever method. Another truss erection concept being considered is a full main span float-in.

Agencies involved in the construction of the new bridge and the demolition of the Black Hawk Bridge include: The Iowa DOT (lead agency), the Wisconsin DOT (partnering DOT), the Federal Highway Administration, the US Coast Guard, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, State Highway Historic Preservation officials from Iowa and Wisconsin, the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, the city of Lansing, and the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

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