Lansing's Mississippi River Bridge opens ahead of schedule

LANSING, Iowa — The new Mississippi River Bridge connecting Iowa and Wisconsin at Lansing is set to open to traffic on the afternoon of November 6. The Iowa Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced the opening, which comes more than six months ahead of the original spring 2027 timeline. Project staff credited the early completion to concentrated work by the contracting team, along with favorable weather and river conditions.

Official opening announced for Mississippi River bridge

A Mississippi River bridge connecting Wisconsin and Iowa will open in November, months ahead of schedule. Transportation officials on Monday announced that the replacement for the historic Black Hawk Bridge connecting eastern Iowa and Crawford County, Wis., will be open to traffic on Nov. 6. The $140 million replacement bridge, which will carry Iowa Highway 9 and Wisconsin Highway 82, was first expected to open in spring 2027.

Amtrak’s Borealis service surpasses 500K passengers

In roughly two-and-a-half years of service, Amtrak’s Borealis train reaches a milestone on Monday: 500,000 passengers. The twice daily train between Chicago and St. Paul began service in May 2024. Both trains make stops in La Crosse. Ridership numbers are likely to grow, according to Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Nancy...

WisDOT plans public information meeting for two US Highway 14 projects between Viroqua and Readstown

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is conducting a public involvement meeting to discuss two proposed improvement projects along US 14 in Vernon County. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Viroqua City Hall, 124 West Decker Street, Viroqua. The objective of this meeting is to familiarize the public with the purpose and need for the project and to obtain input on the proposed improvements.

Tomah City Council approves amended transit contract for 2027 with service adjustments

New Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing Still On Track to Open Early November

Earlier this month, the Iowa and Wisconsin DOTs announced that the new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing will open months ahead of its originally projected target of Spring 2027. Pete Hjelmstad with the Iowa DOT’s Mason City District office says that doesn’t mean there’s still not a lot of work...

The $168 Train Journey Across Wisconsin That Travelers Can’t Stop Raving About

The appeal of crossing Wisconsin by train lies in the way the day unfolds. Milwaukee’s railway approaches give way to smaller communities, open farmland, and a slower sequence of stations. By the time you reach La Crosse, the state has become a series of places you have moved through rather than exits you have passed at highway speed.

Board discusses school buses and school safety

NORTH CRAWFORD - At their August 18 meeting, the North Crawford School Board discussed bus replacement plans and school safety in the event of a situation where students need to be evacuated from the building. Soldiers Grove Fire Chief Jeannette McCormick spoke in the public input portion of the agenda,...

MN: La Crosse County stands firm on ending SMRT bus service

For the second time in less than a year, members of the public gathered to express their support for the cross-county SMRT bus program. But this go-round, it was an altogether quieter affair. Unlike the rowdy, two-hour November meeting, Tuesday’s hearing took a fraction of the time and saw just...

Bainbridge pedestrian bridge reopens on French Island

FRENCH ISLAND, Wis. (WKBT) — The Bainbridge pedestrian bridge has reopened to the public, allowing residents and visitors to once again cross over I-90 on foot.

La Crosse County asking public for input on Brice Prairie rail crossing feasibility study

ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) -- The La Crosse Area Planning Committee is asking residents for input on the County Z and ZN railroad crossings in Brice Prairie.

Residents voice disappointment at La Crosse County hearing over SMRT bus service ending this year

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Residents spoke out Tuesday at a La Crosse County public hearing over the ending of the SMRT bus service.

Tomah residents speak out on future of transit service facing possible discontinuation

TOMAH, Wis. (WKBT) — The future of Tomah Transit is up for discussion as residents gathered to voice their concerns about a public transportation service that serves some of the community's most vulnerable populations.

Interstate at Tomah closing tonight for powerline work

A portion of I-90 at Tomah will be detoured for several hours beginning Monday evening into Tuesday morning for power line work. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said that all lanes between Exit 41 and Exit 43, or Highway 131 to Highway 12/16, will close at 9 pm and reopen at around 5 am to allow power line crews to safely upgrade poles and lines that cross the interstate.

Public meeting to discuss SMRT buses discontinuing in La Crosse County

LA CROSSE COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) - While there are some bus services that take commuters around the La Crosse area, like the MTU, there are others that go around the entire Coulee Region. In July, the La Crosse County Board voted to authorize the discontinuation of Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit,...

Blue River Bridge construction near Muscoda starting Wednesday

MUSCODA, Wis. — Construction is scheduled to begin on Wednesday on the Blue River Bridge near Muscoda.