Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, State Representative Jason Gearhart visit Lansing to discuss closure of Black Hawk Bridge

by Joe Moses

U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s Second Congressional District met with business and community leaders at Lansing City Hall Wednesday, July 30 during her current 22-county tour, to discuss the anticipated Fall 2025 closure and demolition of the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing and to discuss options available to minimize the impact on the area economy relating to transportation, commerce and tourism, among other factors.

Monday, July 14 of this year, the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) made an announcement noting safety concerns relating to the movement of the Black Hawk Bridge during the construction process of the new bridge located near this site, and announced the decision to ultimately close and demolish the existing bridge much earlier than originally had been scheduled in the bridge replacement project. Hinson’s July 30 meeting in Lansing was an opportunity to hear concerns directly from various community leaders and stakeholders relating to the economic impact of the bridge closure and the anticipated two-year period remaining before the new bridge between Iowa and Wisconsin is completed and open for vehicle traffic.

Mayor Mike Verdon provided a brief introduction making note of concerns from area business owners and the public relating to the decision to close the Black Hawk Bridge and the two-year period anticipated until the opening of the replacement bridge. Verdon made note of feedback from business owners who are using data from the more recent, shorter-term bridge closure allowing for repairs, an approximate two-month period from February 25 to April 23 of last year, to estimate the financial and economic impact that will be faced over the next two years until the new bridge is open to traffic. Verdon and Hinson both advised that those economic estimates may need to factor in the differing tourism traffic experienced seasonally in Lansing.

BUSINESS IMPACT, AND BEYOND
Director Jenny Cole of Learning Tree Childcare Center in Lansing discussed the ongoing capital campaign and expansion of the childcare center which serves families and children from northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. Cole noted challenges relating to the bridge closure from a staffing and client perspective, which may prevent commuters from Wisconsin from continuing their employment in Lansing or elsewhere in northeast Iowa in addition to creating issues for those traveling from Wisconsin to Lansing for childcare services. Cole advised that 13-percent of the children served by Learning Tree Childcare Center are from Wisconsin with that potential loss having a financial impact.

Cole further noted challenges faced by businesses like Cole’s Auto Repair, a business owned and operated by her husband, Dan, in which some customer traffic travels to the area via the Black Hawk Bridge from Wisconsin. Cole provided a general estimate of up to 40-percent of that business’s customer traffic being from Wisconsin residents.

Lansing City Clerk Teresa Severson also discussed economic and financial estimates relating to the anticipated two-year absence of bridge travel with this data collection and tabulation ongoing with the assistance of Lansing area businesses. Severson provided an overview of some preliminary data based on responses from 11 of the 60 businesses that have received requests from the City of Lansing at this point.

Verdon confirmed that this data will continue to be shared with Representative Hinson’s office, in addition to state and federal agencies as necessary, with work ongoing with city, county and state officials in Wisconsin to tabulate the full economic impact the bridge closure will cause over a two-year period for other communities with economic ties to Lansing including De Soto, WI and Ferryville, WI, among others.

Jason Drape, owner of TJ Hunters Banquet Hall and City Hall Lounge, provided feedback relating to his other role as the local marina operator and the impact of the anticipated bridge closure. Drape noted that approximately 20-percent of marina slips are rented by Wisconsin residents with 30-35 percent of the marina’s total income attributed to customers from across the river. Drape recognized that most of these Wisconsin-based customers will likely continue their slip rental over the two-year period being discussed but their frequency of travel to Lansing and patronage of local businesses will decrease due to the inconvenience of limited access and limited transportation options with the bridge closure.

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