The following is a press release from Big Sky Public Relations:
Bigfork, Mont. – Due to structural concerns, the Bridge Street Bridge, which crosses the Swan River and connects downtown Bigfork to Montana Highway 35 (MT 35), will be closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic beginning Wednesday, January 31, for the foreseeable future. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) performs regular inspections of the bridge, and during a recent inspection, it was determined that the bridge was no longer able to carry traffic reliably.
“Plans continue to move forward to replace the existing bridge; however, given the condition of the structure, early closure of the bridge due to reliability concerns was always a possibility,” said Bob Vossen, Missoula MDT District Director. “We understand that closure is inconvenient, but Safety is the top priority. We thank the community for their patience and cooperation and encourage residents to contact us with any questions or concerns.
In coordination with Flathead County, barriers will be placed at both ends of the bridge. Advanced warning signs will also be installed to notify drivers of the closure. The closure will only affect the areas immediately adjacent to the bridge and the bridge itself. Entrances to residences and businesses in the area will not be affected.
Pedestrians and vehicles will be required to use Grand Drive to access downtown Bigfork. Sliter's Park and other destinations southwest of the bridge can be reached using Bridge Street from Montana Highway 209 (MT 209) or MT 35 turns.
MDT is preparing to replace the existing Bridge Street Bridge with a new structure that allows for heavier loads, including emergency vehicles, and pays homage to the former iconic bridge with a matching steel truss form and single travel lane. The new bridge will also have an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant crosswalk.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026. In response to this closure, MDT is looking at ways to accelerate the timeline; However, timelines are subject to change due to factors such as financing availability, contractor availability, utility and right-of-way coordination, and other unforeseen issues.
If you have questions or concerns, email Sloane Stinson at Sloane@bigskypublicrelations.com or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for more information about the project Bridge Street – Bigfork, visit http://bit.ly/BridgeStreetBigfork.
