9 Most Traveled Bridges in Montana In Desperately Poor Condition

Bridges furnish passage over an obstacle, whether that impediment is a body of water, valley, road, or railway. Though it may not be romantic or sensational, the fact is that a large number of bridges in all of the states — including Montana — are in desperate need of repair.

Here are nine of the most traveled bridges in Montana that are in desperately poor condition.

1. I 90 over Int Reserve Street

This bridge is part of the urban interstate in Missoula County. Vehicles traverse it 25,583 times daily, and Montana completed it in 1966. The state of Montana has chosen not to reconstruct the bridge since it was built, and its projected daily crossing times are 27,630 by 2041. The structure currently meets the minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is. This bridge’s improvement cost ($464,000) and the roadway improvement cost ($232,000) reflect a total project cost of $696,000 to repair this bridge.

2. Montana Ave over U1024-25-RR

Two of Montana’s most deficient bridges are located in Yellowstone County.

This bridge is part of the urban principal arterial system in Yellowstone County. Vehicles cross it 16,764 times daily, and Montana built it in 1960. Montana reconstructed the bridge in 1986, and its projected daily crossing times are 17,602 by 2041. This Yellowstone County bridge currently meets the minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is. This bridge’s improvement cost ($3,228,000) and the roadway improvement cost ($1,614,000) reflect a total project cost of $4,842,000 to repair this bridge.

3. Montana Ave over U1025-RR

This bridge is part of the urban principal arterial system in Yellowstone County. Vehicles cross this bridge 16,764 times daily, and Montana completed the bridge in 1960. Reconstructed in 1986, its projected daily crossing times are 17,602 by 2041. This structure currently meets the minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as it is. This bridge’s improvement cost ($3,228,000) and the roadway improvement cost ($1,614,000) reflect a total project cost of $4,842,000 to repair this bridge.

4. S Higgins Ave over Clark Fork R-Ped Paths

This bridge is part of the urban minor arterial system in Missoula County. Vehicles cross this structure 15,620 times daily, and workers completed the structure in 1962. Montana scheduled the bridge to undergo reconstruction in 2022, and its projected daily crossing times are 16,401 by 2041. The latest structural evaluation deems this bridge intolerable requiring high priority of corrective action. The projected total cost of the reconstruction project is $5,742,000 to repair this bridge.

5. I 90 over Clark Fork River

This bridge is part of the rural interstate system in Granite County. Built in 1970, the bridge hosts vehicles 11,920 times daily. Montana has not scheduled the bridge for reconstruction, and its projected daily crossing times are 13,350 by 2041. Also, the latest structural evaluation deems this bridge structurally deficient but better than the present minimum criteria.

6. I 90 over RR

This bridge is part of the rural interstate system in Powell County. Built in 1973, the bridge accommodates 11,770 vehicles daily. Montana reconstructed the structure in 2002, and its projected daily crossing times are 13,065 by 2041. The latest structural evaluation deems this bridge structurally deficient and meets the minimum tolerable limits to be left in place

7. I 90 over Int Warm Springs

This bridge is part of the rural interstate system in Deer Lodge County. Vehicles travel across this structure 10,055 times daily with 17% of truck traffic. Workers completed the structure in 1978. Montana has not reconstructed the bridge, and its projected daily crossing times are 12,678 by 2041. The latest structural evaluation deems this bridge structurally in fair condition and equal to the present minimum criteria.

8. I 90 over Clark Fork River

This bridge is part of the rural interstate system in Missoula County. Vehicles travel over the bridge 9,311 times daily, and the government finished it in 1979. Never reconstructed, ts projected daily crossing times are 21,165 by 2041. The latest structural evaluation deems this bridge structurally in fair condition and somewhat better than the minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is. The total projected cost to repair this bridge is $1,284,000.

9. I 90 over Clark Fork River

This bridge is part of the rural interstate system in Missoula County. Vehicles cross the structure 9,311 times daily with 12% of truck traffic, and Montana finished it in 1964. Local officials reconstructed it in 1980, and its projected daily crossing times are 21,165 by 2041. The latest structural evaluation deems this bridge structurally in fair condition and somewhat better than the minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is.