Butte Area Bridges logo

October 29, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction have completed construction on the Butte Area Bridges project! Construction began in May 2024 and was completed in late October.

The bridges that were improved in the 2024 construction season were located at I-15 German Gulch Road (Exit 119), I-15/I-90 Montana Street (Exit 126), I-15/I-90 Harrison Avenue (Exit 127), I-90 Burlington Street Overpass, and I-90 Homestake Pass Road (Exit 233).

This project repaired or replaced the bridge decks (driving surface), rehabilitated the bridge structures, and upgraded guardrail. Bridge work also included a combination of expansion joint replacement and guard angle removal (removing material where the bridge and road connect).

MDT would like to thank Sletten Construction for their hard work to finish construction in one season.

MDT and Sletten Construction thank you for your patience during construction.

September 27, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction expect to begin applying final pavement markings and completing substructure repairs on the Harrison Avenue bridge over Interstate 90 (I-90) the week of September 30. During this work, the passing lanes on Harrison Avenue under I-90 will be intermittently closed.

Over the next few weeks, crews also expect to begin final bridge substructure repairs on the Montana Street bridge over I-90 and the German Gulch Road bridge over Interstate 15 (I-15). These repairs will involve intermittent lane closures. Project work is expected to be completely finished at the end of October, weather and other factors permitting.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

September 5, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are continuing cleanup activities and installing signage this week and next (September 9). Crews expect to begin applying final pavement markings throughout the project areas in mid-September.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

August 29, 2024

LABOR DAY: Crews will pause construction activities for the Labor Day weekend by 3 p.m. on Friday, August 30 and will resume on Tuesday, September 3.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are continuing construction this week with cleanup activities. In the coming weeks, crews will be patching bridge substructures, waterproofing bridge decks, and expect to begin applying final pavement markings in mid-September.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

August 22, 2024

The German Gulch Road Bridge is now open! The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to thank Sletten Construction for their hard work to reopen the bridge ahead of schedule.

Crews are completing cleanup work at German Gulch Road Bridge this week and hanging the overhead sign.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

August 8, 2024

Crews expect to mill and pave the German Gulch Road Bridge approaches the week of August 12. During this work, temporary width restrictions will be in place at the German Gulch Road Bridge on and off-ramps. Paving is expected to take approximately two days to complete, with work taking place during daylight hours. Motorists are encouraged to visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information on width restrictions.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

August 7, 2024

Crews are completing crack sealing work at the Homestake Pass Bridge (Exit 233) over Interstate 90 (I-90) the week of August 5. During this work, speed limits are reduced and single-lane closures are in place over the bridge.

Crews are continuing to place the new bridge deck at German Gulch Road Bridge this week and the week of August 12. The bridge is expected to remain closed until early September. Detour routes are available to access German Gulch Road.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

August 1, 2024

Crews expect to return to crack seal the Homestake Pass Bridge (Exit 233) over Interstate 90 (I-90) the week of 8/5. During this work, speed limits will be reduced and single-lane closures will be in place over the bridge.

Crews may also begin placing the new bridge deck at German Gulch Road Bridge the week of 8/5. The bridge is expected to remain closed until early September. Detour routes are available to access German Gulch Road.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

July 25, 2024

Crews are removing and hauling away the old bridge deck (driving surface) material from German Gulch Road Bridge in preparation to place the new bridge deck. The bridge will remain closed for approximately 50 days from the start of the closure. Detour routes are available to access German Gulch Road.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

July 17, 2024

The German Gulch Road Bridge is now closed while crews replace the bridge deck. The closure is expected to last approximately 50 days. During the closure, detour routes will be available to access German Gulch Road.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

July 12, 2024

closure map

Crews have removed and replaced the asphalt pavement near Homestake Pass Bridge. Work has now shifted to the German Gulch Road Bridge. The contractor is making preparations for the bridge closure set to begin the week of July 15th. The German Gulch Road Bridge is expected to be closed approximately 50 days. During the closure, detour routes will be available to access German Gulch Road.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.
  • Wide load restrictions. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.

July 2, 2024

Fourth of July Holiday: Crews will pause construction activities by 3pm on Wednesday, July 3 and resume on Monday, July 8.

Crews are removing and replacing the asphalt pavement near the Homestake Pass bridge this week.

Work is anticipated to shift from the Homestake Pass Road project area to the German Gulch Road project area in mid-July.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.

June 25, 2024

Crews have completed pouring the bridge deck overlay on Homestake Pass Bridge and are allowing it to cure. Milling and paving the Homestake Pass work zone is expected to take place the first week of July, weather permitting.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.

Work is anticipated to shift from the Homestake Pass Road project area to the German Gulch Road project area in July.

June 20, 2024

Crews are pouring the bridge deck overlay on Homestake Pass Road Bridge this week. Once the concrete cures, crews will reopen the road to two lanes.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.

Work is expected to shift from the Homestake Pass Road project area to the German Gulch Road project area in July.

June 13, 2024

Crews have finished work on the German Gulch Road Bridge support structure. Work is expected to resume at the German Gulch project area in July. On Homestake Pass Road, crews are working in the northbound lane in preparation of bridge paving later this month.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.

About the project

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are rehabilitating seven bridges near Butte. This project will repair or replace the bridge decks (driving surface), rehabilitate the bridge structures, and upgrade guardrail. Bridge work may also include a combination of expansion joint replacement and guard angle removal (removing material where the bridge and road connect).

These bridges include:

  • Interstate 15 (I-15) Exit 119 German Gulch Road.
  • I-15/Interstate 90 (I-90) Exit 126 Montana Street (north and southbound bridges).
  • I-15/I-90 Exit 127 Harrison Avenue (north and southbound bridges).
  • I-90 Burlington Street.
  • I-90 Exit 233 Homestake Pass Road.

June 3, 2024

Work is continuing on Homestake Pass next week, with crews preparing the bridge for paving in late June, weather and other unforeseen factors permitting. Work is also taking place on the German Gulch Road Bridge support structure, with single lane closures on Interstate 15 (I-15) and reduced speeds.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are rehabilitating seven bridges near Butte. This project will repair or replace the bridge decks (driving surface), rehabilitate the bridge structures, and upgrade guardrail. Bridge work may also include a combination of expansion joint replacement and guard angle removal (removing material where the bridge and road connect).

These bridges include:

  • Interstate 15 (I-15) Exit 119 German Gulch Road.
  • I-15/Interstate 90 (I-90) Exit 126 Montana Street (north and southbound bridges).
  • I-15/I-90 Exit 127 Harrison Avenue (north and southbound bridges).
  • I-90 Burlington Street.
  • I-90 Exit 233 Homestake Pass Road.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.

May 24, 2024

Work on Homestake Pass continues next week, but crews will pause construction activities for the Memorial Day weekend by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 24 and resume on Tuesday, May 28. Crews plan to return to complete work at the Harrison Avenue location in the next few weeks, weather and other factors permitting. Updates about the Harrison Avenue work schedule will be shared as information becomes available.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are rehabilitating seven bridges near Butte. This project will repair or replace the bridge decks (driving surface), rehabilitate the bridge structures, and upgrade guardrail. Bridge work may also include a combination of expansion joint replacement and guard angle removal (removing material where the bridge and road connect).

These bridges include:

  • Interstate 15 (I-15) Exit 119 German Gulch Road.
  • I-15/Interstate 90 (I-90) Exit 126 Montana Street (north and southbound bridges).
  • I-15/I-90 Exit 127 Harrison Avenue (north and southbound bridges).
  • I-90 Burlington Street.
  • I-90 Exit 233 Homestake Pass Road.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.

May 17, 2024

Crews are continuing work on Harrison Avenue and Homestake Pass this week. Crews expect to pause work on Harrison Avenue late next week. Once this pause takes place, all traffic controls will be removed for a few weeks until crews anticipate returning to complete Harrison Avenue construction, weather and other factors permitting.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are rehabilitating seven bridges near Butte. This project will repair or replace the bridge decks (driving surface) and rehabilitate the bridge structures, and upgrade bridge rail and approach guardrail. Bridge work may also include a combination of expansion joint replacement and guard angle removal.

These bridges include:

  • Interstate 15 (I-15) Exit 119 German Gulch Road
  • I-15/Interstate 90 (I-90) Exit 126 Montana Street (north and southbound bridges)
  • I-15/I-90 Exit 127 Harrison Avenue (north and southbound bridges)
  • I-90 Burlington Street
  • I-90 Exit 233 Homestake Pass Road

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.

May 3, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are beginning work to rehabilitate seven bridges near Butte. This project will repair or replace the bridge decks (driving surface) and rehabilitate the bridge structures, and upgrade bridge rail and approach guardrail. Bridge work may also include a combination of expansion joint replacement and guard angle removal.

These bridges include:

  • Interstate 15 (I-15) Exit 119 German Gulch Road
  • I-15/Interstate 90 (I-90) Exit 126 Montana Street (north and southbound bridges)
  • I-15/I-90 Exit 127 Harrison Avenue (north and southbound bridges)
  • I-90 Burlington Street
  • I-90 Exit 233 Homestake Pass Road

When construction begins, motorists should expect:

  • Reduced speed limits.
  • Intermittent lane closures.
  • Flaggers or temporary signals to direct traffic.