Final beams put in place on new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing...

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that crews from contractor Kraemer North America installed the final steel beams that connect the top of the center span of the new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing, completing the structural outline of the bridge as the month of June transitioned to July. In addition to the final beams being placed and connected (as visible in the photos at right), Kraemer crews also performed a ceremonious “topping out” placement, where the final and highest beam had a fir tree and flag placed upon it (as pictured near the middle right in the photo at right), a builder’s tradition that dates back thousands of years from Scandinavia that claims that placing a fir tree on the highest piece of a structure symbolizes good fortune and a safe completion of the project.

A large American flag was also placed on the structure in celebration of the Fourth of July weekend that symbolizes the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Iowa DOT officials report that Kraemer North America has further commemorative plans for the fir tree, which was removed from the bridge after the final beam was connected.

The Iowa DOT also states that there is still a great deal of bolting work throughout the steel bridge structure to be completed during the month of July. Officials say some of those bolts won’t be tightened until after the concrete deck of the bridge is poured so the weight of the deck can be accounted for, with that deck pouring taking place in three different sections to avoid overloading the bridge structure. Road construction work also continues on the Iowa side of the project.

Officials say that should weather and other considerations hold true, the first of the three deck concrete pours will take place in late July, with the placement of steel rebar that is required prior to the concrete pour taking place as early as this first full week of July. Should that schedule hold true, officials say the bridge should remain on track to be opened in the spring of 2027. More updates will continue to be provided as progress continues.

Photos by the Iowa Department of Transportation.

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