The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), together with the Iowa Department of Transportation, are announcing a key milestone in the IA 9 / WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge project. The center span of the new bridge will be installed on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 in a process that includes floating the pre-assembled section down the river to be connected to sections being built in place. The project will need to close the free car ferry and restrict other traffic on the Mississippi River on June 11 and 12, 2026. On the morning of Thursday, June 11, the center span will travel downstream by barge until it aligns with the new sections. It will then be lifted into place and connected to the existing east and west assemblies. The entire process is expected to take several hours. The channel will remain closed on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 to fully connect and inspect the span. The project will continue in future weeks and months with additional construction on the bridge superstructure, deck and other features. The new bridge is expected to open to traffic in 2027. The Iowa DOT will display a livestream of the event at iowadot.gov/lansingbridge. People are encouraged to watch the livestream as a safe and comfortable option. Below are details of the center span installation and associated impacts to the car ferry and other vessels on the Mississippi River. - The free car ferry will operate on Wednesday, June 10 through normal hours. The car ferry will not operate on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12, and will resume on Saturday, June 13 at normal hours. See iowadot.gov/lansingcarferry for car ferry service details. - The project team is coordinating with the US Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers to restrict