May 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Flathead County have made significant progress since the last update, issued in April.
Progress is being made. It is looking possible that construction could begin in early 2025, with some site work occurring later this year in preparation for bridge replacement. This schedule hinges on many complex issues, including utility relocations, right-of-way coordination, and environmental clearances.
This accelerated timeline is possible due to the cooperation of several agencies and utility companies, along with the hard work and ingenuity of a large team of MDT and County employees.
The team understands the bridge’s importance and the impact of its closure on the Bigfork community. As a result, a tremendous number of resources have been dedicated to this project.
Bridge projects are generally incredibly complex and take many years to complete due to the significant hurdles that must be overcome. These can include design, funding, environmental, and permitting challenges. This has been especially true of the Bridge Street project.
MDT and Flathead County greatly appreciate the community’s support and will continue to update the public on the project’s progress.
April 2024
The following is an update on the Bridge Street Bridge, which was closed on January 31, 2024, due to structural concerns.
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Flathead County closed the Bridge Street Bridge in response to an inspection and other analysis, that determined the structure could no longer reliably carry vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
It was not a hasty decision to close the bridge. MDT understands the bridge's closure is challenging for the village of Bigfork. However, continued use of the bridge for vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic poses too great of a risk for the public’s safety.
MDT makes every effort to be transparent and offer explanations for decisions made by the Department. To be transparent about the bridge’s closure, the most recent inspection reports have been posted on the Bridge Closure Documents webpage.
As outlined in the report, the more than 100-year-old Bridge Street Bridge has severe corrosion issues. The bridge’s condition is beyond simple or temporary repairs.
MDT and Flathead County are investigating ways to expedite the construction schedule in response to the closure. An accelerated schedule is subject to many complex issues, including utility relocations, right-of-way coordination, and environmental clearances.
MDT and Flathead County have received many communications from the public suggesting a temporary bridge be installed. Flathead County, in collaboration with MDT, completed an alternative analysis to assess numerous options for implementing a temporary pedestrian crossing. It was determined that the constraints of project site size, lack of right-of-way, the number of utilities, and other factors make constructing a temporary structure infeasible. A summary of this alternative analysis can be found on the Bridge Closure Documents webpage.
The course of action is to find ways to complete the project as quickly as possible. MDT and Flathead County are evaluating all options for expediting the bridge replacement, including innovative contracting methods and advance coordination with utility companies, landowners, and environmental resource entities. MDT and Flathead County will continue to update the public on new developments and the project’s progress.