Construction to begin on southeastern Montana bridges this spring

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction will begin the Southeast Montana Bridge Preservation project this spring. This project will rehabilitate 11 bridges in southeastern Montana. These bridges impact Montana Highway 39 (MT 39), US Highways 212 (US 212) and 12 (US 12), Interstate 94 (I 94), and the communities of Forsyth, Colstrip, Lame Deer, Broadus, Ashland, and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.

Crews will begin with the Powder River Bridge and the Little Powder River Bridge on US 212 near Broadus in early April to perform bridge deck repair, including a crack sealing treatment and erosion control. The bridge deck is the flat, drivable surface of a bridge. A crack sealing treatment is when products are applied to the bridge deck to fill cracks and prevent them from collecting debris.

Mel Mader, MDT Project Manager, explained the project's purpose: "These bridges are aging and need routine upkeep. They are safe to drive on, but it is vital to implement repairs to keep them that way. This project implements these repairs and will extend the service life of bridges along these critical routes in southeastern Montana."

"During work hours, motorists on US 212 should expect short delays, flaggers and signals controlling the movement of traffic, single-lane restrictions, and reduced speed limits," said Sletten Construction project superintendent Mark Bochteler. "Our crews will maintain traffic flow but rely on you to keep them safe."

Construction on this project will occur bridge by bridge over the next two summers. Depending on weather and other factors, MDT anticipates completing all bridges by fall 2024.

Crews will begin near Broadus, then tackle the East and Westbound I 94 bridges near Forsyth, the Tongue River Bridge and the Otter Creek Bridge near Ashland, and the Rosebud Creek Bridge south of Colstrip this year, in order, weather and other factors permitting. The rest of the structures are slated for construction next season.

The traveling public is strongly encouraged to watch for the "cone zone" and for workers on the highway. These workers spend their days working a short distance from fast-moving vehicles, and while they make every effort to work safely, they count on you to pay attention, slow down and be careful as you pass through a work zone.

Members of the public can find more information on the project webpage: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/semtbridges or by reaching out to Ella Currier at ellac@strategies360.com or 406-465-7198.