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