Beginning in early April the Montana Department of Transportation will begin construction to rehabilitate the Montana 200 bridge over the Clark Fork River, approximately one mile north of Trout Creek.

Transportation officials said, after hearing from the public, that a six-week full bridge closure will begin in late May or early June.

Local traffic will be detoured to Blue Slide Road while trucks will be detoured to alternate routes, including Interstate 90 and U.S. 2.

River access and public boat access under the bridge will remain open during construction.

In addition to bridge rehabilitation work, the Department of Transportation is coordinating with local emergency services, U.S. Postal Service, Sanders County solid waste, and utilities to ensure services continue throughout construction. According to officials, construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020.

The bridge, originally built in 1958, needs repair due to its structural limitations and to maintain public safety.

Replacement of the concrete deck is the main work needed to extend the useful service life of the bridge and provide a safer crossing over the Clark Fork River for the traveling public, according to Transportation officials.

To expedite construction, extended work shifts and accelerated bridge construction methods such as precast deck panels are being used for this project.

To extend the service life of the bridge MDT will be:

- Replacing the existing bridge deck with precast concrete panels;

- Adding new bridge railing;

- Adding new expansion joints;

- Cleaning and spot painting the steel superstructure;

- Milling and overlaying the bridge approach (north and south) with new pavement;

- Adding new approach railing at each end of the bridge (north and south).

For construction email notifications, the following options are available:

Call: 406-465-3350

Text: TROUTCREEK to 22828

Email: Brandon@RBCI.net