Named for Chief Black Hawk, it is popularly referred to as the "Lansing bridge".

The Wisconsin approach has a long causeway over Winneshiek bottoms (sloughs, ponds, and backwaters) before ramping up to the bridge itself.

The Iowa approach is rather abrupt, going from a 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) city street straight up a steep ramp onto the bridge.

In August 2011 the bridge was briefly closed for repairs after a crack was found in a floor beam.

The Iowa Department of Transportation began planning for a replacement bridge, with feasibility studies beginning in 2004.