Trump signs off on bill with $10M funding for Noxon Bridge replacement project
HANNAH SHIELDS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 2 weeks AGO
The Noxon Bridge over the Clark Fork River in Noxon on Wednesday, Oct. 9. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
RURAL GOVERNMENT REPORTER, REPORT FOR AMERICA Hannah Shields covers rural government and accountability reporting for the Daily Inter Lake and Northwest Montana weekly papers as part of the national Report for America program. Her reporting focuses on transparency, public spending and the impact of local government decisions on small communities. Shields has covered issues ranging from school district finances to development disputes and rural infrastructure projects. She regularly uses public records and investigative reporting to examine institutions that affect local residents. Her work helps bring greater oversight and visibility to rural government across Northwest Montana. IMPACT: Hannah’s work strengthens transparency and accountability in rural communities that often lack consistent watchdog coverage. | February 4, 2026 11:00 PM
President Donald Trump signed a spending bill Tuesday that includes $10 million to replace the failing Noxon Bridge in Sanders County.
U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Congressman Ryan Zinke lobbied to include the money in H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, which last month passed the House by a vote of 217 to 214, and Senate by a vote of 71 to 29.
The bill provides $102.9 billion in discretionary funding, which includes $388 million in defense funds and $102.5 billion in non-defense funding. The legislation funnels money toward airports, roads, railways and bridges across the country, and includes funding for housing initiatives.
A slew of other Montana infrastructure projects will benefit from the multi-billion-dollar spending bill. This includes $10 million for the Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant, $1.15 million to repave Marten Creek Road in Trout Creek, $2.5 million for the Ravalli County Wastewater Treatment Plant, $454,000 for the Rural Airport Reconstruction and Emergency Services expansion, and $1 million each for the North Fork guardrails project in Flathead County, Groff Lane Bridge replacement in Ravalli County and reparation of Old Corvallis Road in Ravalli County.
A spokesperson for Zinke’s office previously told the Inter Lake the congressman hopes to advocate for additional funding for Noxon Bridge in the next fiscal year.
With $10 million secured for the Noxon Bridge, Sanders County Commissioner Tony Cox said the replacement project is about halfway funded. This includes nearly $1 million from the Montana Department of Transportation and $4 million of the county’s own money set aside for the project, bringing total funding close to $15 million so far.
Official estimates to replace the bridge are $35 million, but county commissioners said last week it could come in as low as $30 million.
Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].
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