Iowa Department of Transportation provides update on Mississippi River bridge construction project at Lansing

Things are really starting to take shape at the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing construction site, according to the latest updated by Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials. Over the past several weeks a lot of work has been happening “out of sight,” but it has resulted in what can now be seen on site, some of which is also pictured in the surrounding photos.

The most visible progress is on the Wisconsin riverbank. The beams for the east side of the bridge are in place and project contractor Kraemer North America has the concrete forms in place which will allow them to pour the concrete for the bridge deck. Before that happens, though, the crews will place reinforcing steel over the entire area of the deck. This steel will strengthen the concrete, giving the deck the longest life possible. Hopes are to have the concrete for the deck get poured in June.

Also, the foundation is showing up for piers 1 and 2, and the west abutment, which is the concrete structure that supports the beams for the end of the bridge. The footings, or base, for pier 1 on the Iowa riverbank and pier 2 in the river have been poured. This is where most of the work has been happening over the past several weeks.

The contractors worked inside protected areas to keep the work area and the workers dry to get everything ready for the concrete pour. That included placing/tying rebar to strengthen the concrete footing, as well as placing the forms. The footings for piers 1 and 2 are the same size, 40 feet long by 13.5 feet wide and 14 feet deep.

A couple other facts about piers 1 and 2 include the following:
• Each footing contains over 44,000 feet of rebar weighing 151,673 pounds - that is over eight miles of steel in each footing.
• Each footing contains just over 567 cubic yards of concrete - that is enough concrete for more than 75 double stall garages. That’s also enough concrete for 1,157 feet of sidewalk that is four feet wide and four inches thick.

Kraemer is currently focusing on the next segment of pier 2 called the columns. Including the footing, both piers 1 and 2 will stand 60 feet tall. Stay tuned as the piers rise out of the water to where they need to be to support the new bridge.

Now to the west abutment for the bridge in Lansing. The forms and the rebar are in place and the concrete should be poured very soon.

There are many partners working together to help make this project a success. That includes the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad whose tracks run under the bridge on the Iowa side of the river. The Iowa and Wisconsin DOTs, as well as all the project contractors, have been working with Canadian Pacific for years to design the project, and that cooperation continues now during construction.

The railroad has flaggers on the project to keep everyone safe. Because of the tight construction area, the concrete for pier 1 must be pumped over the tracks. That couldn’t continue if a train was coming through and that’s where the flagger comes into play. He lets everyone know in plenty of time they have to clear the tracks to allow the train to pass. Just another example of several partners working together to make sure the project is completed safely and efficiently.

Additional photos and information are available in this week's edition of the Standard. Pick up the Wednesday, May 7, 2025 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.