County Bridge Maintenance

At their Nov. 14 administrative meeting, the Missoula County commissioners approved a professional services agreement with engineering firm DJ&A. The contract will commit up to $38,000 toward development of a Preliminary Engineering Report for the Owl Creek, Arlene Drive and Kraft Creek Road bridges in the Condon area.

The report will provide essential planning-level designs and cost estimates to enhance Missoula County's applications for federal grants. This initial report is a vital step in the County's effort to improve infrastructure and ensure safe, reliable travel on these important routes. DJ&A's full scope of work for the project is detailed in Exhibit A of the agreement.

Through this contract, Missoula County and DJ&A aim to create a foundation for potential bridge replacements or improvements, contributing to a stronger, safer transportation network.

Glacier Creek Bridge, which crosses Glacier Creek located in Condon and is over 50 years old, has a partial closure and 22-ton load restriction, due to a failed wood piling (a leg that acts as the support for the bridge). Missoula County Public Works staff installed a curb to keep people from driving over the failed piling, reducing the roadway width to around 12 feet. This bridge is used often by locals throughout the year.

Missoula County plans to fix the bridge, which could cost as much as $100,000, and those repairs are planned to be funded through SB536 funding. The county also applied for a federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant, as well as a Bridge Investment Program (BIP) grant in early 2024 to help fund the replacement bridge. Missoula County Public Works heard back that they did not receive the RAISE grant, but are still waiting to hear back on the BIP grant. If the County receives the BIP grant, construction would begin in 2027. If the County does not receive the BIP grant, staff will meet with the Federal Highway Administration to find out how to improve the grant applications, and apply again the next time around.

Sunset Hill Road Bridge, which crosses the Blackfoot River outside of Clearwater in Greenough, is a single-lane truss bridge constructed in 1907, and now is weight restricted to seven tons due to its age and deterioration. This bridge is used often by locals and recreators throughout the year, with the volume increasing in summer for river recreation.

Missoula County plans to replace the bridge, which will cost approximately $4.1 million, and applied for a federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant, as well as a Bridge Investment Program (BIP) grant in early 2024 to help fund the replacement bridge. Missoula County Public Works heard back that they did not receive the RAISE grant, but are still waiting to hear back on the BIP grant. If the County receives the BIP grant, construction would begin in 2027. If the County does not receive the BIP grant, staff will meet with the Federal Highway Administration to find out how to improve the grant applications, and apply again the next time around.

Due to interest in this bridge, we created a separate Missoula County Voice page for it.

Riverview Drive Bridge, which crosses the Clearwater River in Seeley Lake, was constructed in 1967. This bridge is used by locals throughout the year.

Missoula County plans to replace the bridge, which will cost approximately $3.4 million, and applied for a federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant in early 2024 to help fund the replacement bridge. Missoula County Public Works heard back that they did not receive the RAISE grant. Staff will meet with the Federal Highway Administration to find out how to improve the grant application and apply again the next time around.

Cold Creek Bridge, which crosses the Swan River near Condon, was constructed in 1954 and reconstructed in 1974 and is scour critical, meaning the river could wash away enough sediment around the piers to compromise the structural integrity of the bridge, especially amid high water. This bridge is often used by locals throughout the year.

Missoula County plans to replace the bridge, which will cost approximately $3.9 million, and applied for a federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant in early 2024 to help fund the replacement bridge. Missoula County Public Works heard back that they did not receive the RAISE grant. Staff will meet with the Federal Highway Administration to find out how to improve the grant application and apply again the next time around.

Bench Road Bridge, which crosses Grant Creek in the Wye area, was constructed in 1955 and though it is not load-restricted or scour critical, it does have a low sufficiency rating – 46.6 out of 100 – which is a way to rate a bridge’s structural adequacy, safety, serviceability and functionality. This bridge is often used by locals throughout the year.

Missoula County plans to replace the bridge, which will cost approximately $600,000, and applied for a grant from the Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) to help fund the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). Missoula County Public Works was not successful with the MCEP grant application, and will consider other alternatives to fund the PER.

Styler Drive Bridge, which crosses Glacier Creek in Condon, was constructed in 1970 and is load-restricted to 31 tons. With a high weight limit and the fact this bridge only serves seven residences, Missoula County has not marked this bridge as urgent compared to other bridge needs throughout the county. However, Missoula County Public Works has this bridge on their radar and plans to address it when funding allows.

Schwartz Creek Road Bridge, which crosses the Clark Fork River near Clinton, was constructed in 1956 and is scour critical, meaning the river could wash away enough sediment around the piers to compromise the structural integrity of the bridge, especially amid high water.

Missoula County Public Works has this bridge on their radar and is currently working with a consultant to develop a preliminary engineering report that would determine the necessary repairs and cost associated with the repairs. The PER would be used to inform future grant applications to fund the needed repairs.

Loiselle Lane Bridge, which crosses the Grass Valley Frenchtown Ditch near Frenchtown, was constructed in 1960 and though it is not load-restricted or scour critical, it does have a low sufficiency rating – 72 out of 100 – which is a way to rate a bridge’s structural adequacy, safety, serviceability and functionality. MDT recently removed the load restriction on the bridge, and the sufficiency rating increased. Missoula County Public Works has this bridge on their radar and plans to replace the bridge with a culvert when time and funding allows.