Bigfork’s historic one-lane bridge will be back open just in time for the village to welcome hordes of Fourth of July visitors.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new bridge is scheduled for June 25 at 11:45 a.m., according to the Flathead County Commissioner’s upcoming agenda. The project was slated for completion June 30, according to the Montana Department of Transportation’s latest update. 

The timeline is subject to change due to weather, site complexities and other unforeseen factors. But, the department and Battle Ridge Builders continue to make significant progress, according to the state.   

Crews will continue installing curb and gutter, along with expansion joints, a scupper, transverse grooves and pedestrian railings. Additionally, roadwork at the bridge entrances is anticipated to begin soon. 

Opened to the public in 1912, the bridge experienced corrosion and other issues due to its age. Its condition resulted in the bridge being load posted at a three-ton weight limit for the last several years, which restricted larger vehicles from using the bridge. 

In addition to the closure impacting travel and downtown events, resident expressed during the public comment period last year that they didn’t want to see the bridge lose its historic charm.  

District construction engineer John Schmidt said during a November 2024 open house meeting that the new bridge will look very similar.  

“We recognize the iconic nature of the old bridge, we had lots of meetings with the community and how important that was to them, so the new bridge is very directly modeled after the old bridge.” 

Crews will be onsite working on the Bridge Street bridge, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Those with questions or concerns can contact Sloane Stinson with Big Sky Public Relations at [email protected] or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information about the Bridge Street Bigfork project, visit www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/bigforkbridge/.