Bridge repairs coming

POLSON -— On Nov. 19, the Montana Department of Transportation held a public meeting at the KwaTaqNuk to discuss the proposed resurfacing of Polson’s Armed Forces Memorial Bridge. 

The bridge connects U.S. Highway 93 traffic north to Kalispell, and is in serious need of major surface repairs, according to MDT officials. Proposed work will include removing the upper part of the bridge’s deck and replacing it with a new concrete overlay.  MDT also plans to restore the slope at the northeast end of the bridge.

“We understand that this bridge is a vital transportation link to the surrounding communities, so we want to fix the bridge with as few disruptions as possible and make sure that these repairs last for many years to come,” said MDT bridge area engineer Nigel Mends.

The public meeting was the second the MDT has held in Polson. The construction proposal had been altered after the first meeting when community members expressed scheduling concerns. Since the first meeting, the MDT has tried to honor the concerns of the public and now plans to avoid construction during the summer months of June, July and August. The MDT proposal calls for work to be performed on the bridge during April and May; and again in September and October. 

These construction dates are not definite, as the weak economy continues to affect many government projects. An MDT press release stated that “a target construction date will be determined as funding becomes available.”

“Right now, the plan is to begin construction in April,” Mends said. “But financial turbulence and many other factors are in play here that are well beyond my control.”

The work crews will complete a 1/4 of the deck at a time, and MDT estimates that construction will last for 29 workdays per side of the bridge. With construction crews working six days a week, MDT hopes to complete half of the bridge in five weeks. 

During construction, bridge traffic will be reduced to a single lane. 

MDT is encouraging public comment as the planning process continues and understands that community participation is a very important part of the planning process. Opinions, comments and concerns may be submitted by mail to Shane Stack, MDT Missoula district preconstruction engineer, PO Box 7039, Missoula MT 59807-7039, or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml.  Please indicate that comments are for project CN 6151 and please submit all comments by Dec. 19.