Timber Bridges To Be Replaced
The Montana Department of Transportation and Sletten Construction will replace up to six timber bridges in the Richland, Scobey and Poplar areas throughout 2023.
These bridge replacements are part of a broader Timber Bridges – Glasgow Area project underway to replace up to 16 timber bridges within three years in northeast Montana.
The six bridges being replaced this year are located on Montana Highway 248, five miles east of Richland, seven miles east of Richland, two miles west of Scobey and three miles west of Scobey; and Montana Highway 251, 20 miles northeast of Poplar and 25 miles northeast of Poplar.
Work will begin as soon as the weather permits.
Depending on the area’s requirements, the bridges will be replaced by either a concrete culvert or a concrete bridge.
For a list of the bridges being replaced and their locations, visit the project webpage at www.mdt.mt.gov/ pubinvolve/glasgowtb/.
“MDT is proactively investing in replacing aging timber bridges that are vital to keeping Montanans connected and our economy moving forward,” Shane Mintz, MDT Glendive District administrator, said. “Our goal is to replace these structures as quickly as possible, and we have instituted an innovative bridge bundling program to accomplish this.”
Since the project was initiated last fall, Morrison-Maierle has been working with MDT, alongside Sletten Construction, to bundle projects. This process, known as design-build, readies complex projects efficiently, moving from full design to construction in a matter of months.
Construction detours will be directly adjacent to the current structures, and minimal traffic disruptions are anticipated. Traffic control will be on site, speed limits reduced, and shoulder closures in place throughout the construction zones. Brief, single-lane road closures may be periodically required.
A motorcycle advisory is in place for all active project sites due to loose asphalt material on the detour structures. Motorcyclists are strongly encouraged to take an alternate route.
“Sletten Construction is eager to work on replacing the first group of bridges,” said Russell Robertson, bridge division manager of Sletten Construction. “We encourage residents to stay informed on bridge replacements underway in their area and reach out with any questions or concerns.”
Regularly scheduled email and text updates will be available during construction. To sign up for updates, or if you have questions or concerns, email Sloane at sloane@bigskypublicrelations.com or call the hotline at 406207-4484, operated during business hours. Those interested in learning more can visit mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/ glasgowtb/.
