A water taxi across the Mississippi River starts operating in the United States

While the Black Hawk Bridge remains closed, commuters will now have the option of crossing the Mississippi River into Lansing by themselves - but not in their cars.

Starting Monday, March 18, a free water taxi will cross the river there at certain times of the day seven days a week until the bridge is repaired and reopened to traffic, the Iowa Department of Transportation announced on Friday, The Gazette reports.

Passengers crossing the river from Allamakee County to Crawford County in Wisconsin - or vice versa - can drive to designated parking areas to be picked up by a shuttle bus and taken to a water taxi. The shuttle bus and water taxi are free of charge. The crossing will take about 30 minutes, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

The historic Black Hawk Bridge was ordered closed on February 25 after two piers shifted, causing the structure to move. The Iowa Department of Transportation reported that repairs could last until the end of April. Meanwhile, construction of a $140 million replacement bridge began last year just 50 feet north of the structure, but will not be completed until 2026, the Iowa Department of Transportation said.

As previously reported by TravelWise, you can see the full power of the Mississippi River during a canoe tour conducted by the Mississippi River Expeditions organization.