Project Overview
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction began work to replace Sportsman’s Bridge on Montana Highway 82 (MT 82) northwest of Bigfork in early August 2025.
The current Sportsman’s Bridge is a narrow structure not designed to handle today’s larger vehicles and increased traffic caused by population and tourism growth in the Flathead Valley. It will be replaced with a new bridge that has two 12-foot travel lanes and two 10-foot shoulders.
The new bridge is being built adjacent to the south side of the existing structure. The current bridge will stay open during construction, with minimal traffic impacts anticipated.
The project also includes intersection improvements on MT 82, including:
Oldenburg Road with MT 82 Intersection - Construction of a left-turn lane and a right-turn slip lane on MT 82 at the intersection with Oldenburg Road will enhance access to the new FAS.
Hanging Rock Drive with MT 82 Intersection - Initial plans to modify and upgrade the FAS on the east side of the Flathead River included turn lanes on MT 82 at Hanging Rock Drive. Construction of these left- and right-turn lanes will proceed as planned.
| Tentative Construction Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2025: | Excavation work. Building bridge piers, the main vertical supports. |
| Spring/Summer 2026: | Work begins on the bridge abutments, the support structure at the ends of the bridge. Intersection improvement work begins at Oldenburg Road with MT 82 and Hanging Rock Drive with MT 82. |
| Late Summer 2026: | Construction of the bridge deck. |
| Fall 2026: | Traffic is moved onto the new bridge. Intersection improvements completed. |
| Winter 2026: | Demolition of old Sportsman’s Bridge. |
| Spring/Summer 2027: | Finishing work. Project completed. |
This timeline is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
UPN 6850000