Implosion of Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing moved to Friday

The implosion of the Black Hawk Bridge, a structure that for 94 years has provided transportation over the Mississippi River at Lansing in northeast Iowa, has been delayed one day by the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation.

The two state agencies announced earlier this month that the implosion was planned for Thursday, Dec. 18 at approximately 9:30 a.m. Those plans have changed. On Monday the agencies announced the implosion has been moved to Friday, Dec. 19.

If the date must be moved, organizers have set Saturday, Dec. 20 as the backup date.

The time of the implosion still is set at approximately 9:30 a.m., although that could be adjusted due to weather conditions or other issues.

The Black Hawk Bridge is being replaced with a new bridge that’s being built just feet from the original structure. Removal of the old bridge is necessary to allow construction of the new bridge to proceed.

Construction on the new bridge began in 2023, and is scheduled to be complete by the spring of 2027. Twice during construction, the Black Hawk Bridge has been closed to traffic due to safety concerns associated with construction of the new bridge.

Following the implosion, crews will work to remove bridge debris from the river.

How to watch the implosion

Due to public interest in the bridge and its implosion, the Iowa DOT will livestream the event at iowadot.gov/lansingbridge. The agency is promoting the livestream as a “safe and comfortable option.” The livestream is video only and does not include audio.

Onlookers are expected in Lansing and surrounding areas for the implosion, so local and state law enforcement officials are coordinating efforts to keep the public out of an 850-foot “restricted zone” that’s being established around the bridge.

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Some roads will be closed because they are inside the restricted zone. Those include a portion of Iowa Highway 9, Front Street and several other streets and alleys in downtown Lansing. Street closures and parking restrictions will begin at 6 a.m. on Friday.

Traffic on the Mississippi River — commercial and recreational boats — also will be restricted within a 1,000-foot zone. The public is advised to stay off any ice on the river as it may be unsafe.

In addition to cars and boats, there will be no trains through Lansing for approximately four hours on the morning of the implosion.

Unauthorized drones and unmanned aerial vehicles also will be prohibited in the restricted zone.

What should spectators expect?

The implosion is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., but could be delayed. Five minutes before the implosion is to happen, “audible warning horns” will be sounded.

“The implosion may be loud,” the Iowa DOT warns. “Anyone with hearing sensitivity is advised to remain inside and use ear protection if needed.

After the demolition, when the detonation has been confirmed, a long siren will blast to signal to the contractor that detonation is confirmed so they can perform safety checks. The restricted zone will remain in place for at least 30 minutes following the implosion.

Later in the day, a smaller implosion is planned for the east end of the bridge. The same warning horn will sound. That implosion will not require closure of roads in Iowa.

How will the event impact local residents?

The Black Hawk Bridge closed to traffic in October, and a free car ferry service began operation in November. The car ferry will end its service at 6 p.m. Thursday. It will resume service the morning of Monday, Dec. 22. The DOT warns that “additional delays may be necessary to clear debris from the river channel.”

On the Wisconsin side of the river, the ferry landing will be closed to the public because it is inside the restricted zone.

Residents and property owners in the restricted area are being contacted by the project contractor, which is providing “voluntary home inspections and window protections.” Locals also will be given information about the timeline and options to either shelter in place or evacuate.

More information about the implosion and construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge is available online at iowadot.gov/lansingbridge.