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 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 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, Missoula District administrator for the state agency. “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 replacing it. Ultimately, it was decided to replace the damaged structure based on cost and service life.

In March, agency officials described the bridge replacement project on the Farm to Market Road as a top priority.

“That bridge was scheduled for replacement because of its age,” Montana Department of Transportation'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 Montana Department of Transportation Public Involvement at 406-444-6021 or email [email protected] with questions or comments about the project.