Join Us at the Lewistown Area Bridges-DAR Structures project Open House!
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), and its partners Morrison-Maierle and Sletten Construction, are hosting an open house to share information and initial design plans for the Lewistown Area-DAR Structures project.
Join us to learn more about the bridges being replaced, ask questions, and provide feedback directly to the project team.
Thursday, April 3
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Yogo Inn, Mountain Room
211 East Main Street, Lewistown, MT 59457
No formal presentation will be made during the event, and attendees are welcome to drop by at any time.
Those who cannot attend can still ask questions and provide comments by contacting Sloane Stinson at
Project Overview
The Lewistown area is actively planning for a period of growth that will result in increased traffic throughout the region. As part of the preparations for this expansion, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will replace 11 aging bridges through the Lewistown Area Bridges-DAR Structures Project.
This project is a collaboration with the Department of Defense (DOD) and is partially funded through the Defense Access Road (DAR) program, which supports essential highway improvements for defense initiatives.
Eight bridges are located on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) between the intersections with Montana Highway 80 (MT 80), west of Denton, and US Highway 191 (US 191), north of Lewistown. The other three structures are located on Montana Secondary Highway 400 (S 400) southwest of Hobson, Montana Secondary Highway 238 (S 238) southeast of Lewistown, and Montana Secondary Highway 297 (S 297) north of Shawmut.
Montana-based contractor Sletten Construction and engineering design consultant Morrison-Maierle have been awarded the project and have begun the initial design phase.
Project Approach
To replace the bridges as quickly as possible, the project is utilizing a Progressive Design-Build contracting method. This innovative hybrid approach enables multiple bridges to be bundled under one contract, allowing Morrison-Maierle to work alongside Sletten Construction from the beginning of the project. This partnership streamlines the process, efficiently moving bridge replacements from the design phase to construction. As a result, the project team can develop better solutions, reduce project costs, ensure efficient environmental approvals, and maintain quality, all while expediting project delivery.
Project Timeline
Fall 2024 – Surveying and Environmental Fieldwork
Winter 2024 to Spring 2026 – Project Design Phase
Spring 2025 – Project Open House
Spring 2026 to Summer 2028 – Construction
The project timeline is dependent on completion of design and availability of funding.
Bridge Replacement Locations and Schedule
The schedule and sequence for replacing the bridges have not yet been determined.
| MDT Structure ID | Feature Intersected | Location | Route | Mile Marker | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6206 | Coffee Creek | Coffee Creek | MT 81 | 6.1 | Fergus |
| 6207 | Coffee Creek Tributary | 0.5 miles east of Coffee Creek | MT 81 | 6.5 | Fergus |
| 6209 | Dry Wolf Creek | 6 miles southeast of Denton | MT 81 | 19.9 | Fergus |
| 6212 | Drainage Ditch | 11 miles west of Brooks | MT 81 | 30.6 | Fergus |
| 6216 | Drainage Ditch | 6 miles west of Brooks | MT 81 | 34.9 | Fergus |
| 6217 | Drainage Ditch | 5 miles west of Brooks | MT 81 | 35.4 | Fergus |
| 6219 | Drainage Ditch | 4 miles west of Brooks | MT 81 | 36.6 | Fergus |
| 6220 | Warm Springs Creek | 1 mile west of Brooks | MT 81 | 39.2 | Fergus |
| 6436 | East Fork Big Spring Creek | 9 miles southeast of Lewistown | S 238 | 10.6 | Fergus |
| 6606 | Deadman’s Basin Canal | 1 mile north of Shawmut | S 297 | 0.9 | Wheatland |
| 6754 | Hauck Coulee Tribituary | 6 miles southwest of Hobson | S 400 | 5.8 | Judith Basin |
View this table as a printable list of structures.
NOTE: The schedule and sequence for replacing the bridges have not yet been determined.
UPN 1027600