Open (Bridge) and Close (Trails)

A bit of news for a rainy Wednesday.

Image - Iowa DOT

Lansing Bridge to Re-open to Traffic!
The Lansing bridge will reopen to traffic Friday afternoon November 6 after a noon time ribbon cutting ceremony. Originally scheduled to open in 2027, the construction went faster once the old bridge was demolished late last year. Kudos to the IA and WI DOTs that kept the river communities that depend on the bridge and others informed of progress and decisions throughout the multiyear project. Car ferry service will end that same day. You can stay up-to-date on plans at the Lansing Bridge Facebook page.

Trail Closings

Just a reminder that during the deer hunting season, you may run into area trails that are closed because they are on, or contiguous to, private land. 

The Twister and Mr Hyde trails in La Crosse's Upper Hixon are both closed. ORA just posted: "It’s November 1st - this means access to trails on the Gollnick Tract has closed for the year. We are so fortunate that this property is generously open for public use throughout most of the year due to a conservation easement! Please respect the closure which lasts until Jan 1st. The closure has been clearly marked & taped off."

At Beaver Creek Valley State Park in Caledonia MN, the Steep Rock Trail is closed for hunting season.

There are also trail closures for habitat restoration or re-rerouting of old trails around the Driftless including a closure on Winona's Chickadee Trail in Bluffside Park that leads to a prairie restoration project and re-routing at La Crescent's Vetsch Park leading to the Stoney Point overlook.

Please respect these and other signs in our Driftless area and wait to access these trails until projects are completed. The folks who do restoration work appreciate your respect!