A federal funding bill that includes $10 million to replace the failing Noxon Bridge has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is headed to the Senate for a vote.  

Sen. Tim Sheehy and Rep. Ryan Zinke both lobbied for the funding in Congress, which landed in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 — one of 12 appropriation bills approved by the House last week. 

“If that does get passed, we’re hopeful that will provide some relief to the county,” said Steve Howke, a representative for Zinke’s office, during a meeting with Sanders County commissioners Tuesday. “And at least get it started with the Noxon Bridge.” 

Commissioner Tony Cox said the $10 million — in conjunction with $5 million in county funds — could cover nearly half of the construction project to replace the bridge, which spans the Clark Fork River in Sanders County. Official estimates for the project have it at $35 million, but commissioners speculated Tuesday that it could come in as low as $30 million.  

“Zinke and his staff have been here from the get-go,” Cox said. “Many kudos to all of you for that help.” 

In total, there’s $27 million in allocated infrastructure funds for western Montana in the legislation, which is expected to be voted on by the Senate in the coming days.  

The funding 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.  

“I’ve worked with county commissioners and local leaders for years on these projects, and now we’re finally securing the support they deserve,” Zinke said in a Jan. 22 statement. “This bill funds vital projects that Washington often overlooks but are essential to the people who live there.” 

Five of the appropriation bills have passed the Senate so far, and three have been signed into law. Congress has until Jan. 31 to pass all funding legislation to avoid a partial government shutdown. 

SANDERS COUNTY has moved forward with the design process for Noxon Bridge as it collects data from recently completed surveys, thanks to a $950,000 contribution from the Montana Department of Transportation in November. 

Engineers continue to assess cost estimates as they develop roadway plan profiles and bridge section details, and bridge abutment drilling is expected to start next month. 

The county continues to apply for grants, and Cox is hopeful a prepared bridge design plan will give the county’s grant applications an extra boost.  

“It’s slowly all coming together,” he told the Inter Lake. 

The $5 million the county has put aside for the project will likely be used for grants that require a funding match. County officials originally eyed the Bridge Investment Program Grant, created as part of then President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law, as a possible funding avenue. 

But the application process for the grant program closed during October’s federal government shutdown and has yet to reopen. County officials meanwhile plan to apply for a $25 million BUILD grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation, which is due at the end of February.  

Cox cautioned that it could be several months to a year before grants are awarded. 

Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].