County seeks funding to replace steel bridge

Flathead County has applied for state funding to replace the single-lane bridge on Bridge Street in Bigfork.

The bridge has a weight limit of three tons, and due to age, the structure is wearing out, county public works director Dave Prunty said.

Safety is the main concern, Prunty said. The county installed vehicle height warning signs on the bridge, which has helped in stopping larger vehicles from crossing, but hasn’t addressed structural issues resulting from age, Prunty said.

The estimated cost for replacing the bridge, according to the Montana Department of Transportation, is over $1 million. Prunty said it’s a very high level estimate and would be refined through the process. The county’s bridge budget is about $900,000 a year, and is used to maintain about 100 bridges, culverts and other works.

The cost is based on a two-lane concrete bridge with a pedestrian walkway. Prunty doesn’t know if that will fit within the county right-of-way on Bridge Street, but building a single-lane bridge isn’t a preferred option unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Applying for funding through the Montana Department of Transportation is the first step in the process. Prunty said the there are other entries competing for limited dollars in the fund, and the county hasn’t heard yet if the Bigfork bridge will receive any money. No plans have been made if the request for funding is denied.

Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork president Paul Mutascio hopes the 100 years old bridge will keep it’s iconic look.

“We want to make sure the bridge is safe,” he said, but “it’s an iconic bridge… it adds to the flavor of Bigfork.”

Mutascio suggested exploring the option of possibly saving money and keeping the look by reinforcing the existing bridge.

As of now there have been no decisions made on what will happen to the bridge, but Mutascio said the community will be watching and making sure their voices are heard as things move forward.

In 2006 the single lane wooden bridge in Ferndale was replaced with a single lane concrete bridge.

The bridge replacement was issued by Lake county and local residents spoke up, to make sure the bridge maintained it’s rural feel. While the Ferndale bridge is still two lanes wide to meet federal regulations, one lane was converted into a walkway.