Christiansen Bridge to close due to safety concerns March 18-April 8

HOT SPRINGS - Due to safety concerns, the Christiansen Bridge on Little Bitterroot Road will be closed beginning Monday, March 18.

Lake County commissioners expect to have a new, steel bridge in place and open to traffic by March 29 to replace the old bridge, which is the third bridge from MT Highway 28 traveling east on Little Bitterroot Road, Commissioner Ann Brower said.

In a letter dated Feb. 20 and addressed to Lake County, the Montana Department of Transportation cites deteriorating piles at both bridge abutments, failure of one of the piles, and lack of support beneath the square pile at the pier as reasons the bridge must be closed.

The steel bridge will be the new permanent bridge and is expected to cost $55,000, Brower said. Originally, the commissioners planned to close the bridge March 4, but the time frame for permitting the new bridge project pushed the date back.

The county is working with schools, emergency services and neighboring Sanders County to ensure services remain available. Notices are being sent to all residents impacted by the closure, Brower said.