When the Montana Department of Transportation reported that the Cyr Bridge off I-90 would be closed all summer, they weren’t fibbing.

Westbound Exit 70 detoured motorists to the Fish Creek Exit 66 which was inconvenient to the residents on the Cyr and Sawmill Gulch areas returning from Missoula as well as Alberton Gorge rafters coming from the east as the repair project began in June. It meant an 8 mile farther drive them because of the backtracking, but there was no effect to eastbound traffic. 

Crews will still be present wrapping up minor tasks for the next few weeks, but the bridge is not expected to be closed for this work.

“The work performed on the Cyr Bridge was challenging for the contractor due to its height above the river and its narrow width,” said Brett Lloyd, MDT Missoula District Engineering Project Manager. “The bridge closure was necessary for both the safety of construction crews and motorists.”

Improvements completed include repairing and painting portions of the steel superstructure beneath the bridge deck (driving surface), replacing the bridge railing, applying a crack seal to the bridge deck, resurfacing the roadway on each end of the bridge, and repairing deteriorated concrete in the bridge deck, piers, and retaining walls. 

Other improvements made as part of this project include paving the vehicle parking area on the east side of the bridge and the installation of a historical marker.

“MDT and Frontier West would like to thank the public for their patience during construction, we know how important this structure is to the local community and are pleased with the repairs,” said Lloyd. “The improvements made to this bridge will help keep this 92-year-old structure in service for many years.”

The public is encouraged to contact Brandon Coates at Brandon@rbci.net or 406-465-3350 with questions or comments about the project.