A Belgrade construction firm has been selected to build the new bridge across Libby Creek on Farm to Market Road, south of Libby.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) announced in a July 9 press release that Battle Ridge Builders was selected to do the work on the $4.7 million project. 

The bridge was one of many structures and roads that were damaged in the December 2025 flood that caused millions of dollars of damage across south Lincoln County.

“Our team has been working on restoring access since before the flood water receded and has done everything possible to fast-track project delivery,” said John Schmidt, MDT Missoula District Administrator. “We have designed the new bridge to be more resilient to future flood events.”

Officials said work is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and will include demolishing the current structure, installing bridge pilings and beams and pouring concrete. 

The bridge will be 28 feet wide and 303 feet long. The destroyed structure was 150 feet long.

The project is scheduled for completion in late February 2027, weather and other unforeseen factors permitting.

Farm to Market Road will remain closed to traffic until construction is complete. Officials asked those using the road to continue using alternate routes.

State transportation officials said they considered both repairing the structure or fully replacing it. Ultimately it was decided to replace the damaged structure based on cost and service life.

In March, MDT officials said the bridge replacement project on the Farm to Market Road was a top priority.

“That bridge was scheduled for replacement because of its age,” MDT’s Justun Juelfs said. “But now, it’s an expedited process and our target is 12 months. In a normal process, it’d take about three to five years, but we are meeting once a week to make it happen before the end of the year.”

For more information, visit the project website at mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/southlibby. Updates will be provided at project milestones. 

The public is encouraged to contact MDT Public Involvement at 406-444-6021 or email [email protected] with questions or comments about the project.

Battle Ridge Builders was formed in 2006. 

According to information on its website, Battle Ridge Builders (BRB) was created out of necessity in 2006 by two guys who could not imagine holding a full-time job and missing out on the epic skiing/fly fishing seasons Montana has to offer. 

After beginning as a drywall stocking company, it grew before the 2008 financial collapse. That led them to the North Dakota oilfields where they connected with some quality general contractors and procured contracts to side and roof hotels, multiplexes and commercial buildings in North Dakota. 

When the other company founder chose another path, Dakota Ham took over in 2010. 

"With a weak residential market, we decided to start bidding on civil projects," Ham said. "Beginning by working for non-profits and environmental groups on small infrastructure projects, BRB won its first bridge project in 2012. With just the right crew, the project went great and the Battle Ridge Builders Civil Division took off."

In 2017, BRB began installing pre-fabricated steel bridges. As of 2025, the firm is officially recognized as a certified Bridge Erector by the American Institute of Steel Construction.

The company has completed civil specialty projects in Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana.