06/02/2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its construction partner, Frontier West, have begun improvements on the Kootenai River Bridge. The current bridge structure is aging and in need of repair to enhance safety for the traveling public and extend its service life. Construction work will focus on replacing the existing expansion rocker bearings on pier 3 and pier 6 of the bridge with work to begin at pier 6. Minor repairs to the driving surface and under the bridge deck will also be included in this project.
The contractor plans to maintain signalized, single-lane traffic across the bridge during construction, with a series of eight nighttime temporary closures. The first closure will occur June 8 from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. June 9.
Traffic Control
Closure dates and times will be communicated via roadway signage and variable message signs.
• During each nighttime closure, the bridge will NOT be accessible to the public from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. These times may shorten as the contractor progresses through the project. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and first responders will still be able to access the bridge during the closure.
• Watch for reduced speeds (35 mph) and flaggers in the project area.
• The project area has a width restriction of 12 feet.
o Oversized and wide loads should call MDT Project Manager, Jason Livingston, at 406-471-0233 to coordinate travel across the bridge.
Detour
• A detour route (5-ton limit) will be provided (see map below) during the temporary bridge closures.
• Vehicles hauling trailers and long loads are encouraged to seek an alternate route, as there is a sharp, 90-degree turn along the detour route at the Roosevelt Bridge.