Lansing Car Ferry Resumes Early After Tug Boat Repairs

The ferry was expected to be out of service until Friday but returned to service on Thursday morning.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

The Lansing car ferry in Iowa has resumed operations earlier than expected after repairs were made to the connected tug boat. The ferry was originally expected to be out of service until Friday, but mechanics were able to quickly fix the mechanical issue and the ferry was back in service on Thursday morning.

Why it matters

The Lansing car ferry is a critical transportation link for the local community, allowing vehicles to cross the Mississippi River. Its unexpected closure would have disrupted travel and commerce in the area, so the early return to service is welcome news.

The details

According to Clayton Burke, a District Staff Engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation, there was a mechanical issue with the tug boat connected to the ferry barge. The issue was initially thought to be more serious, leading to the ferry's closure, but mechanics were able to quickly resolve the problem overnight.

  • The ferry was originally expected to be out of service until Friday.
  • Mechanics fixed the issue on Thursday morning, allowing the ferry to resume operations.

The players

Clayton Burke

District Staff Engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

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The takeaway

The early return of the Lansing car ferry is good news for the local community, demonstrating the responsiveness of transportation officials and the importance of this river crossing for the region.