I 90 Bridges East of Alberton - Construction Updates

March 29, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West plan to begin working on the eastbound side of the Interstate 90 (I-90) bridge located six miles east of Alberton the week of April 1. When work begins, all traffic will be crossed over to the westbound lanes over the bridge. Loads wider than 12 feet must use an alternate route or schedule to be piloted through the project area.

This work is dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.

Motorists can expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately one mile.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I-90.
• Reduced speed limit.
• The Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82) will remain open.
• A 12-foot width restriction.
• Loads over 12 feet wide will be instructed to take an alternate route outside of the scheduled piloted times Monday through Friday.
• Wide loads may contact Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule passage.

For the most up-to-date information on width restrictions and traffic controls, visit 511mt.net.

March 4, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are continuing work on the westbound bridge that carries Interstate 90 (I 90) over the Clark Fork River five miles east of Alberton starting the week of March 4. Crews will begin installing scaffolding on the bridge to complete painting and bearing replacement. This work is dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.

Motorists can expect:

• Single lane traffic over the bridge.
• Reduced speed limit.
• A 14-foot daytime width restriction is in effect.
• Westbound loads over 14 feet wide must us an alternate route from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Wide loads may contact Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule passage.

For the most up-to-date information on width restrictions and traffic controls, visit 511mt.net.

February 6, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have resumed work on the bridge that carries Interstate 90 (I 90) westbound over the Clark Fork River, five miles east of Alberton. Crews are performing preparation work for future bridge jacking on this structure. This will allow crews to raise the bridge and replace bearings under the bridge deck (driving surface) later this year.

This work will take place on a day-by-day basis, weather permitting.

As work resumes, motorists can expect:

• Single lane traffic over the bridge.
• Reduced speed limits
• A 14-foot width restriction in the westbound lanes. Wide loads greater than 14 feet must use an alternative route or call Poteet Construction 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for travel arrangements.

For the most up-to-date information on width restrictions and traffic controls, visit 511mt.net.

December 22, 2023

Construction paused on I 90 bridge projects near Alberton

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have paused construction on two Interstate 90 (I 90) bridge projects near Alberton for the winter. These projects include the eastbound bridge located five miles east of Alberton, and the east and westbound bridge located six miles east of Alberton.

Crews anticipate returning in spring 2024 to continue work on the bridges. Traffic control has been removed from the project areas and construction updates will resume with construction next spring. For more information about work on these bridges visit the I 90 Bridges East of Alberton project website.

Short-term repairs were also made on the westbound bridge that carries I 90 over the Alberton Gorge located eight miles west of Alberton this fall. Repair work included replacing bridge bearings and a steel beam called a girder. The repairs will extend the service life of the bridge until a future project replaces the structure. For more information about work on this bridge visit the Alberton Gorge Bridge project website.

November 6, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have partially completed the bearing replacement on the Clark Fork River bridge located six miles east of Alberton. Work will continue the week of November 7, weather permitting.

Traffic Control
Motorists should expect flaggers directing traffic on Interstate 90 (I 90) between the Alberton/Petty Creek Road Interchange (Exit 77) and the Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82). Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction over the bridge and flaggers will slow traffic down to 5 mph while work is being performed beneath the bridge deck. Due to the reduced speeds, traffic has the potential to back up to the Huson Interchange (Exit 85). Expect 10 to 20-minute delays when traveling through the project area. MDT encourages the public to stay alert to the traffic controls and slowing traffic.

Traffic control on I 90 is expected to return to 35 mph, single-lane traffic over the bridge by the end of the week.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 5 mph.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

October 31, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are in the process of jacking (raising) the bridge located six miles east of Alberton. Work began on Monday, October 30, and is anticipated to be completed Thursday, November 2.

Traffic Control (October 31 to November 2)

Motorists should expect flaggers directing traffic on Interstate 90 (I 90) between the Alberton/Petty Creek Road Interchange (Exit 77) and the Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82). Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction over the bridge and flaggers will slow traffic down to 5 mph while work is being performed beneath the bridge deck. Due to the reduced speeds, traffic has the potential to back up to the Huson Interchange (Exit 85). Expect 10 to 20-minute delays due to the reduced speed required for the current construction activities when traveling through the project area. MDT encourages the public to stay alert to the traffic controls and slowing traffic.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 5 mph.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

October 27, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have delayed work to jack (raise) the bridge located six miles east of Alberton. Due to inclement weather, it is not safe to jack the bridge in the current conditions. Work will be delayed until October 30, weather permitting, for the safety of the crew and the traveling public.

Traffic Control (October 30 and October 31)

Motorists should expect slow traffic and flaggers directing traffic on Interstate 90 (I 90) between the Alberton/Petty Creek Road Interchange (Exit 77) and the Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82). Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction over the bridge and flaggers will slow traffic down to 5 mph while work is being performed beneath the bridge deck. Due to the reduced speeds, traffic has the potential to back up to the Huson Interchange (Exit 85). MDT encourages the public to stay alert to the traffic controls and slowing traffic. The bearing replacement work is anticipated to take two days to complete, weather permitting.

October 23, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have completed the bridge rail installation and are making final preparations to jack (raise) the bridge located six miles east of Alberton. Once the bridge is jacked crews can begin replacing the steel bridge bearings, weather permitting.

What are bridge bearings?

Bearings are important to the long-term performance of the bridge. Bearings are located below the bridge deck (driving surface) on the bridge substructure. They allow for and control movement in the bridge to ensure that other structural components of the bridge are not overstressed.

Wednesday, October 25th Traffic Control

Motorists should expect slow traffic and flaggers directing traffic on I 90 between the Alberton/Petty Creek Road Interchange (Exit 77) and the Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82). Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction over the bridge and flaggers will slow traffic down to 5 mph while work is being performed beneath the bridge deck. The bearing replacement work is anticipated to take one day to complete.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of Interstate 90 (I 90).
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

October 13, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are preparing to raise a small section of the bridge using a jack to replace a bridge bearing on the bridge substructure. The bearing replacement work is anticipated to occur over the next couple of weeks, weather permitting. Traffic will be shifted out of the crossover pattern for the bearing replacement work.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of Interstate 90 (I 90).
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

September 21, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are prepping the bridge six miles east of Alberton for bearing replacement in October. This and other minor work will continue for the next few weeks, weather permitting.

September 1, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are replacing the westbound rail barrier of the bridge that carries Interstate 90 (I 90) over the Clark Fork River, six miles east of Alberton. Construction activities will pause for the Labor Day holiday weekend on Friday, September 1, and will resume on Tuesday, September 5.

Be safe and limit distractions as you travel this weekend. Follow traffic control when driving through work zones.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• The Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82) will remain open.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

August 25, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have implemented a crossover traffic pattern east of Exit 82 on Interstate 90 (I 90) to shift traffic to the eastbound lanes.

The barrier on the westbound side of the bridge has been removed and work to form the new barrier has begun. Additionally, crews are making preparations to jack the bridge that crosses the Clark Fork River located six miles east of Alberton in order to replace the bearings.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• The Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82) will remains open.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

August 15, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are installing an access platform under the Interstate 90 (I 90) bridge located six miles east of Alberton. Crews will begin work on the westbound side of the bridge.

This week, crews will remove the barrier rail near the Nilemile Interchange (Exit 82). Traffic will be shifted to the eastbound side of I 90 to allow crews to safely work on the westbound side of the bridge.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• The Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82) remains open.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

August 8, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West will begin adjusting traffic controls on Interstate 90 (I 90) the week of August 7 between the Petty Creek Interchange (Exit 77) and the Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82). This work is being done in anticipation of construction on the I 90 bridge located six miles east of Alberton, which is scheduled to begin in mid-August. This bridge is located approximately one mile east of a bridge already under construction.

During construction, motorists should expect:

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• Both east and westbound traffic will travel on the same side of I 90 intermittently.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• The Nine Mile Interchange (Exit 82) will remain open.

Width Restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and must use an alternate route.
• Eastbound loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.