RONAN — Seventeen residents of a remote area east of Ronan have now been outfitted with a secure connection to the outside world following the completion of a new bridge on Michel Road, near the base of the Mission Mountains.

A group of those who helped construct the bridge assembled amidst snowy weather conditions last Wednesday to formally open the new 54-foot concrete tri-beam structure with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a few words about its importance.

“Believe me, [the old bridge] was old, worn out and rotten,” said CSKT Roads Program manager Mike Brown, who helped oversee construction of the new project spanning the Pablo Feeder Canal.

Brown said that the aging wooden structure had reached a point where any large vehicles — including fire trucks and UPS delivery vehicles — were unable to cross safely.

“The old bridge had deteriorated to a point such that services... and delivery equipment could not cross the bridge. So those folks were left without those services,” said Brown, describing the plight of residents living up the road. He added that during construction, many individuals stopped by to voice their appreciation for the replacement.

“When we were building the bridge, they would come by and say thanks about every day.”

The $361,000 project was funded by money obtained by the Tribes through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. While the project was headed by CSKT personnel, it was ultimately a team effort, as the City of Ronan, Lake County and the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project provided right-of-ways and permission to help bring the structure to fruition.

Lake County commissioner Bill Barron agreed that the facelift was badly needed.

“We gladly jumped on board,” said Barron. “[The old bridge] should have been abandoned but would have stranded the 17 residents.”

According to Barron, the county will assume responsibility for the bridge’s maintenance from this point on.

Besides being a boon to local residents, the structure will also dramatically improve access to tribal land located on the road.