CONSTRUCTION
How long will bridge construction take?
The project will take two construction seasons to complete. Construction will commence in early August 2025 and is expected to finish in 2027. However, this schedule may change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
| 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.
Who is the contractor for the project?
Sletten Construction was awarded the project. The company was established in Great Falls, Montana, in 1928 and has built bridges throughout the western United States since 1958.
Will Montana Highway 82 (MT 82) be closed to traffic during construction?
No, MT 82 will remain open. The new bridge is being constructed south of the existing bridge, which will remain open during construction with minimal to no traffic impacts. Intermittent single-lane closures will be required. The public will be notified of any lane closures in advance.
One exception is that if, during intersection improvements at Hanging Rock Drive, crews find it necessary to blast through rock in the area, temporary 30-minute road closures may be needed. If closures are required, the public will be notified well in advance.
Will boating traffic be able to travel beneath the bridge during construction?
Boat traffic will be allowed beneath the bridge through the work zone. For safety purposes, temporary short-term closures may be necessary. These closures are anticipated to last up to eight hours per occurrence. The public will be notified in advance of any restrictions or temporary closures.
Will the fishing access site (FAS) remain open during construction?
Yes. The new FAS and associated boat ramp on the west side of the river will remain open throughout bridge construction. The old, east-side FAS is now closed.
BRIDGE DESIGN
Why is the bridge only two lanes? Why not make it four lanes?
MDT traffic studies and population growth models indicate that a two-lane bridge will meet traffic needs for decades to come. This design will accommodate future growth while limiting impacts to adjacent landowners.
Will the bridge include a dedicated bike lane and/or pedestrian walkway?
There are currently no plans for a dedicated bike lane or pedestrian walkway. However, a shared-use path connecting MT 82 with Montana Highway 83 (MT 83) is in Flathead County’s long-range transportation plan. If the shared-use path is constructed, the substantial 10-foot shoulders on the new bridge will be able to accommodate pedestrian and bike traffic with minor alterations, such as striping and installing a protective pedestrian rail to separate the shared-use path from the travel lanes.
Will pedestrians be allowed to walk on the new bridge?
Yes, pedestrians will be allowed to walk on the new bridge. The wide travel lanes and 10-foot shoulders will provide pedestrians with a more comfortable and safe space. Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) bridges are designed for all modes of transportation.
Will the new bridge have the same vertical clearance above the river as the old bridge?
The proposed MT 82 Bridge will have the same or slightly more vertical clearance than the existing bridge. The vertical clearance is measured from the bottom of the lowest beam to the surface of the water.
The new bridge has approximately 11.6 feet of clearance between the lowest beam and the 100-year flood elevation on the west end. The clearance increases to approximately 15.0 ft over the 100-year flood elevation on the east end. The existing structure has approximately 10 ft of clearance between the lowest beam and the 100-year flood elevation.
Are there any weight restrictions on the new bridge?
The new bridge was designed to meet current load standards, so there will be no load restrictions for legal loads.
What color will the new bridge be?
The new bridge will be built with pre-weathered steel, giving it a rust-brown color, similar to the new Bridge Street Bridge in Bigfork.
MT 82 IMPROVEMENTS
What improvements are planned for MT 82?
New FAS Access at Oldenburg Road with MT 82 Intersection
- A left-turn lane and a right-turn slip lane will be constructed on MT 82 at the intersection with Oldenburg Road to enhance access to the new FAS. A right-turn slip lane is a short stretch of road that allows vehicles to turn right without entering the intersection.
Turn Lanes at Hanging Rock Drive with MT 82 Intersection
- Initial plans for the new FAS on the east side of the Flathead River included building turning lanes on MT 82 at the intersection with Hanging Rock Drive. Construction of the new left- and right-turn lanes at Hanging Rock Drive will continue as planned.
Will the traffic congestion and long wait times at the intersection of Montana Highway 35 (MT 35) with MT 82 be addressed?
Possible improvements to the intersection are not within the scope of the Sportsman’s Bridge project.
MDT is aware of the congestion and crash trends at the intersection of MT 35 and 82 and is in the process of finalizing a study that identifies how best to address those issues, whether it is the installation of a traffic signal or something else. It is important to note that once a project is identified in that area, depending upon the extent of that project, it may take several years to come to completion. MDT must carefully assess how to make the most of the resources we have available and prioritize our activities to deliver the maximum value to our state’s taxpayers.
BUDGET
What is the project budget?
Project Cost and Funding
Pre-construction:
Federal Funds - $10,300,000
Non-Federal Funds (Highway State Special Revenue Account (HSSRA)) - $1,600,000
Total - $11,900,000
Preconstruction costs include surveying, bridge design, road design, environmental studies, geotechnical studies, right-of-way planning and acquisition, utility negotiations and relocation, and more.
Construction:
Federal Bridge Investment Program (BIP) Funds - $28,500,000
Other Federal Funds - $2,300,000
Non-Federal Funds (BIP match provided through SAFER Act – HB 267) - $4,800,000
Total - $35,600,000
Total Cost of Project: $47,500,000
FISHING ACCESS SITE RELOCATION
Why was the Fishing Access Site moved to the west side of the Flathead River?
Shifting Sportsman’s Bridge to the south would have negatively impacted the original Sportsman’s Bridge Fishing Access Site (FAS) located on the east bank of the Flathead River. This change would have reduced the amount of shoreline available and eliminated the existing access to the FAS.
Originally, the existing FAS was going to be modified and upgraded near the same location on the east bank of the river. However, after listening to public feedback and assessing available options, FWP constructed a new FAS on the west side of the Flathead River, off Oldenburg Road. This updated location offers many benefits, including:
- Increased access: Public access sites on Flathead Lake and the Flathead River are experiencing heavy use throughout the year, often reaching or exceeding capacity. The new site on the west side of the river provides more parking and improved shoreline accessibility.
- Ease of Access: Both departments prefer the intersection of MT 82 with Oldenburg Road for its ease of access and safety features, compared to the alternative at Hanging Rock Drive.
What amenities are available at the new FAS?
The new FAS includes:
- A new, concrete low-water boat ramp.
- Parking area with:
- 39 truck/trailer parking stalls.
- 11 standard vehicle parking stalls.
- One standard car and one truck/trailer Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - accessible parking stall.
Will the old FAS area still be accessible to the public?
No. The old FAS is permanently closed. The new bridge will be constructed in the area, and there will no longer be public access to it.
How can I get more information about the FAS?
Contact Dillon Tabish, Regional Communication and Education Program Manager
Dillon Tabish
Regional Communication and Education Program Manager
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Region 1
406-751-4564 |
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Where can I get more information about the bridge replacement project?
Regular updates will be provided throughout the project’s construction phase.
Updates will be available on the project’s webpage and distributed via email and text message.
To subscribe to email updates, contact Sloane at
To sign up for text message updates*, text SPORTSMANS to 41411.
For more information about the project, visit www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/flathead/.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns by calling the project hotline at 406-207-4484, operating Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by emailing Sloane at
*Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Texting alerts are not managed by MDT and may have different privacy and security policies. For more information, visit https://smstc.us/t41411/.