Black Hawk Bridge

The Black Hawk Bridge is a steel cantilever bridge that spans the Mississippi River between Iowa and Wisconsin. The structure carries two lanes of traffic and connects both states through a steel framework design.

The bridge was completed in 1931 by the Iowa-Wisconsin Bridge Company as the first highway crossing over the Mississippi in this region. Its construction marked an important shift in how people could travel between the two states.

The bridge appears in David Lynch's 1999 film The Straight Story as part of a key Mississippi River crossing scene. It became a recognizable landmark in cinema through its inclusion in this memorable moment.

The crossing is maintained regularly with significant structural work performed in 2024 to address foundation pier issues. Check current road conditions before heading out, as maintenance work may occasionally affect travel.

In February 2024, critical structural problems were discovered requiring emergency repairs to ensure safety. The bridge underwent extensive evaluation and reopened to traffic in April of that year.

Location: Iowa

Location: Wisconsin

Inception: June 17, 1931

Official opening: June 17, 1931

GPS coordinates: 43.36530,-91.21500

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:01