Eight Northeastern Montana Timber Bridge Replacements Planned For 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)and its partners, Sletten Construction and Morrison-Maierle, plan to replace up to eight timber bridges in the Glasgow area during the 2024 construction season. These bridge replacements are part of the Timber Bridges – Glasgow Area project, which replaced seven timber bridges last year.

“We’ve collaborated closely with our partners and implemented innovative programs to expedite the design and completion of these bridge replacements,” said MDT Glendive District Administrator Shane Mintz. “It is a large task replacing so many timber bridges in such a short period. However, it is a priority for MDT and vital to keep Montana moving forward.”

The timber bridges to be replaced this year include bridges on US Highway 2 (US 2), six miles northwest of Glasgow, seven miles northwest of Glasgow, and 12 miles northwest of Glasgow; Montana Highway 24 (MT 24), 18 miles south of Opheim, 25 miles southwest of Opheim, and 6 miles north of Glasgow; MT Highway 248 (MT 248), half a mile west of Four Buttes; and Montana Highway 251 (MT 251), 20 miles northeast of Poplar.

“We’re excited to begin work on replacing these timber bridges,” said Russell Robertson, Bridge Division Manager of Sletten Construction. “We thank area communities for their continued support and encourage residents to stay informed and reach out with any questions or concerns.”

All work is dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors. Construction of the detour at the East Fork Cherry Creek Bridge, six miles north of Glasgow, is underway. The single-lane detour is next to the current structure. Traffic will be moved onto the detour beginning the second week of March and a width restriction of 19 feet will be in place.

Replacement of Buggy Creek Bridge, 12 miles northwest of Glasgow, will begin March 3. Traffic will be moved onto the single-lane detour constructed last fall. The detour has a width restriction of 16 feet.

At both locations, large vehicles must find an alternate route. Traffic control will be on-site, and reduced speed limits and shoulder closures will be in place throughout the construction zones.

For a tentative schedule and map of the timber bridge replacements, visit mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/glasgowtb/. Regularly scheduled email and text updates are available during construction. To sign up for updates, or if you have questions or concerns, email Sloane at [email protected] or call the hotline at 406-207-4484, operated during business hours. Text message* updates are also available. Subscribe by texting “TIMBERBRIDGES” to 41411.