Iowa and Wisconsin Leaders Celebrate Opening of New Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing
Officials from federal, state, and local agencies, alongside community representatives, gathered in Lansing, Iowa, on November 6, 2026, to celebrate the opening of the new Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the $165 million project, which connects Iowa and Wisconsin. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers spoke at the event, thanking the project teams and emphasizing the bridge's importance for regional tourism and economic growth. Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Scott Marler also expressed gratitude to all personnel involved for opening the bridge ahead of schedule. The new structure, designed to resemble the former bridge, features wider traffic lanes and shoulders, and expands the navigation channel for commercial barges. It is expected to accommodate approximately 2,500 vehicles daily.