Bridge project in Ferndale staying on schedule
THE TRAFFIC pattern on Montana Highway 209 in Ferndale uses a temporary bridge that has been erected as crews work to replace a 55-year-old structure. (Photo courtesy of Chris Kelly)
Construction continues on the Montana Highway 83 bridge in Ferndale.
Officials say the project is on schedule — although the long winter caused a late start on construction.
Currently, a temporary bridge exists in place of the Highway 209 structure while crews continue to work.
At the end of June, officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks closed a portion of Swan River to recreation due to several incidents involving the bridge.
“Since the closure, there have been no floater conflicts at the Ferndale Bridge construction site,” Sarah Knobel of Big Sky Public Relations confirmed Tuesday.
As crews complete the project, a traffic structure was erected in the Swan River to accomodate traffic on Montana Highway 209.
While portaging around the bridge is not possible, boaters can launch on the Swan River just north of the bridge.
Sletten Construction, a company headquartered in Great Falls with an office in Missoula, is handling construction of the bridge.
The current traffic configuration will remain in place until later this fall when crews anticipate directing traffic back on the new bridge.
The entire project is anticipated to be completed May 6, 2019, tentative depending on weather.
The Ferndale Bridge is 55 years old and has needed “significant” improvements.