Flathead River - Perma Bridge - Construction Updates

May 24, 2024

Paving expected to begin after Memorial Day

Construction activities will be paused in observance of Memorial Day weekend. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West will begin paving activities on the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River near Perma after Memorial Day. Work is anticipated to start the week of May 28, weather and unforeseen factors permitting.

No traffic control will be in place over the holiday weekend.

What to expect during construction:

• Single-lane traffic across the bridge.
• Reduced speeds.
• Traffic will be directed by flaggers or traffic-sensing smart signals.
• River traffic may be directed to one side of the river at times.

May 17, 2024

Construction Expected to Resume Week of May 20

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West anticipate resuming work on the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River near Perma the week of May 20, weather and other factors permitting.

Planned work for this construction season includes removing and replacing the pavement on the bridge approaches, upgrading guardrail, painting portions of the steel structure, installing advance warning rumble strips and signage, and applying final pavement markings.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane over the bridge and controlled by temporary signals. A 10-foot width restriction will be in place during painting work. The river beneath the bridge will remain open, but signage may direct boat or raft traffic to one side of the river at times.

Work on this project is anticipated to be completed by fall.

What to expect during construction:

• Single-lane traffic across the bridge.
• Reduced speeds.
• Traffic will be directed by flaggers or traffic-sensing smart signals.
• River traffic may be directed to one side of the river at times.

November 6, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have completed the concrete placement for the bridge barrier rails. Weather permitting, crews mill and pave both ends of the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River near Perma.

Crews plan to install guardrail on the bridge this week. Once guardrail has been installed, work will pause on the Flathead River - Perma Bridge rehabilitation project for the 2023 construction season. The project will resume in the spring of 2024. If crews are unable to mill and pave this year, it will be completed alongside the final striping and painting of the substructure to prevent corrosion in the next construction season.

What to expect during construction

S 382:

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• A 10-foot width restriction is in place 24/7. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River:

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction

October 27, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are nearing completion on the east side concrete barrier rail. Once barrier rail installation is complete, crews will begin paving both ends of the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River near Perma.

Guardrail installation will conclude work on the Flathead River - Perma Bridge rehabilitation project for the 2023 construction season. Work will pause in November and the project will resume in the spring of 2024 for the final striping and painting of the substructure to prevent corrosion.

October 20, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are pouring concrete for the barrier rail on the west side of the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River near Perma.

What's Next?

Once the west side barrier rail is fully cured, crews will begin work on the east side barrier rail. After the barrier rails are complete, Frontier West will begin milling and paving the asphalt bridge approaches.

S 382:

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• A 10-foot width restriction is in place 24/7. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River:

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

MDT anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Crews are expected to return in 2024 to paint portions of the steel superstructure, which helps to slow corrosion.

October 13, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have completed repairs on the steel bridge beam (girder) and hydro milling on the southbound side of the bridge. Crews are pouring the concrete overlay this week on the bridge deck (driving surface).

What's Next?

After the bridge overlay is completed, crews will begin working on installing the bridge railing followed by milling and paving the pavement on each end of the bridge.

September 29, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West will be completing hydro milling on the southbound lane of the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River near Perma this week.

Once hydro milling is completed, welding crews will begin steel support beam (girder) repairs and prepping to overlay concrete on the bridge deck, weather permitting.

What to expect during construction

S 382:

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• A 10-foot width restriction is in place 24/7. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River:

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

MDT anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Crews are expected to return in 2024 to paint portions of the steel superstructure, which helps to slow corrosion.

September 21, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have shifted traffic to the northbound lane over the Perma Bridge. Crews have begun hydro milling the southbound lane and plan to begin steel support beam (girder) repairs in the next week, weather permitting.

What is Hydro Milling?

Hydro milling is a technique that removes deteriorated concrete using high-pressure water. This process allows the contractor to remove the top layer of concrete without causing additional damage to the bridge deck.

September 1, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have removed deteriorated concrete from the northbound lane over the Perma Bridge and are preparing for concrete placement. 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.

What's next?

Concrete is expected to be placed in the northbound lane of the bridge in early September. Once the concrete has cured, traffic will shift and travel on the northbound lane so crews can begin removing concrete in the southbound lane.

What to expect during construction

Secondary Highway 382 (S 382):

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• A 10-foot width restriction is in place 24/7. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River:

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

MDT anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Crews are expected to return in 2024 to paint portions of the steel superstructure, which helps to slow corrosion.

August 25, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have completed hydro milling and are finishing removal of the expansion joints in the northbound lane of the Flathead River - Perma Bridge.

What's next?

After removing the expansion joints, Frontier West will begin preparing the northbound lane for concrete placement. This is expected to occur in early September. Once the northbound lane has cured, traffic will shift to the northbound lane and crews will begin hydro milling the southbound lane.

What to expect during construction

Secondary Highway 382 (S 382):

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• A 10-foot width restriction is in place 24/7. Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information.
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River:

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

MDT anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Crews are expected to return in 2024 to paint portions of the steel superstructure, which helps to slow corrosion.

August 16, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are hydro milling the deck (driving surface) of the Flathead River - Perma Bridge. Once hydro milling is complete, new concrete will be placed.

What is hydro milling?

Hydro milling is a technique for removing deteriorated concrete using high-pressure water. This process allows the contractor to remove the top layer of concrete without causing additional damage to the bridge deck.

What to expect during construction

Secondary Highway 382 (S 382):

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• 10-foot width restriction in place 24/7. (visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information).
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

MDT anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Crews are expected to return in 2024 to paint portions of the steel superstructure, which helps to slow corrosion.

August 7, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are preparing to remove and hydro-mill the bridge deck (driving surface) the week of August 7. Once the old concrete is removed, crews will begin preparing the bridge deck for new concrete.

What is hydro milling?
Hydro milling is a technique for removing deteriorated concrete using high-pressure water. This process allows the contractor to remove the top layer of concrete without causing additional damage to the bridge deck.

What to expect during construction

Secondary Highway 382 (S 382):

• Traffic will be reduced to one lane, alternating traffic.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• 10-foot width restriction in place 24/7. (visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information).
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

MDT anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Painting on portions of the steel superstructure to slow corrosion is expected to take place in 2024.

August 1, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West would like to thank the public for their patience during the closure of the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River. The bridge reopened to through traffic Sunday, July 30.

The weekend closure provided crews with valuable time to complete critical work. This involved using jacks to raise the bridge so that crews could replace four bearing and repair a girder. The bridge will remain under standard traffic controls for the remainder of the construction season.

What to expect during construction

S 382

• Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• 10-foot width restriction in place 24/7. (visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information).
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Painting on portions of the steel superstructure to slow corrosion is expected to take place in 2024.

July 27, 2023

Construction underway! - Weekend closure July 29-30

Frontier West is preparing to lift up the Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) bridge with jacks to replace four bearings and repair a support, called a girder, this weekend, (July 29 and 30).

The bridge is anticipated to be completely closed to traffic starting Saturday, July 29 at 6 a.m. and will reopen on Sunday, July 30 at 6 p.m. There will not be a detour at the bridge. Motorists are encouraged to use Montana Highway 28 (MT 28) or US Highway 93 (US 93) as an alternate route.

What to expect during construction

S 382

• Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals on S 382 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• 10-foot width restrictions during the day, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• 10-foot width restrictions during the day, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information).
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.
• The fishing access and boat launch site will remain open throughout construction.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Painting on portions of the steel superstructure to slow corrosion is expected to take place in 2024.

July 20, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West expect to begin work rehabilitating the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 (S 382) over the Flathead River the week of July 24.

The bridge is anticipated to be completely closed to traffic starting Saturday, July 29 at 6 a.m. and will reopen on Sunday, July 30 at 6 p.m. There will not be a detour at the bridge. Motorists are encouraged to use Montana Highway 28 (MT 28) or US Highway 93 (US 93) as an alternate route.

The river beneath the bridge will remain open, but signage may direct boat or raft traffic to one side of the river.

What to expect during construction

S 382

• Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
• Traffic will be controlled by traffic-sensing smart signals.
• Speed limits will be reduced.
• 10-foot width restrictions during the day, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information).
• Delays of up to 15 minutes.

Flathead River

• Precautions are being taken to protect the river and its users during construction. It is unlikely that the river will close as a part of this project.

MDT anticipates that bridge rehabilitation work will be substantially completed this fall. Painting on portions of the steel superstructure to inhibit corrosion is expected to take place in 2024.