Project Overview
The Glendive District Bridge Preservation Project will evaluate 11 bridges in southeastern Montana for rehabilitation, impacting a state highway (S 39), US highways (US 212 and US 12), the interstate (I 94), and the communities of Forsyth, Colstrip, Lame Deer, Broadus, Ashland, and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. The bridges are aging and in need of repairs and routine upkeep. They are safe to drive on, but it is important to identify needed repairs to keep them safe and functional.
Project Map
Glendive District Bridge Preservation Project Map
Click on the image for a larger view
Why is this project important?
The goal of this project is to keep Montana’s bridges safe, resilient, economical, and reliable. The MDT Bridge Bureau, which includes both the Bridge Management and Bridge Design teams, is responsible for over 5,000 bridges in the state. Working together they inspect, evaluate, replace, rehabilitate, and preserve structures under their jurisdiction.
Our specialists gather and assess a lot of information about chemical make up and strength of the concrete, drainage, environment, erosion, materials, traffic, roadway safety and much more. Using that information, they will develop solutions to preserve and enhance the safety and useful life of our bridges.
What does this mean to me?
The design phase means this is your chance to provide us information and points of view that are important to how you and your communities use these bridges and the roadways connected to them. Working together, we will have opportunities for you to provide input as we develop our plans for each bridge.
Bridge List
| MDT Structure ID |
Feature Intersected | Location | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05805 | INT Colstrip I 94 | 6mi W FORSYTH | ROSEBUD |
| 05800 | Armells Creek | 22mi NW OF COLSTRIP | ROSEBUD |
| 05799 | Railroad | 21mi NW OF COLSTRIP | ROSEBUD |
| 05788 | Rosebud Creek | 9mi SE COLSTRIP | ROSEBUD |
| 05622 | Powder River | 1mi SE BROADUS | POWDER RIVER |
| 05623 | Little Powder River | 7mi SE BROADUS | POWDER RIVER |
| 05783 | Tongue River | 1mi W ASHLAND (west end on Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation) | ROSEBUD |
| 05784 | Otter Creek | EAST EDGE ASHLAND | ROSEBUD |
| 05522 | Railroad | SW EDGE FORSYTH | ROSEBUD |
| 01946 | INT East Forsyth | EAST FORSYTH | ROSEBUD |
| 01947 | INT East Forsyth | EAST FORSYTH | ROSEBUD |
Process and Anticipated Schedule
2020 Bridge Evaluation Phase
- Evaluate the bridge
- Determine rehabilitation needs, such as crack sealing bridge decks, repairing deck joints, repairing spalling concrete, and rail revisions to enhance safety
- Develop Preliminary Field Review Report
2021 Bridge Design Phase
- Develop design plans
- Present design plans to public
- Finalize design plans
Construction could begin as early as 2022.
Engineer to English
*bridge deck – the flat, drivable surface of a bridge supported by beams, trusses, girders, columns, etc.
*crack seal – when products are applied to the road or bridge deck to fill cracks and prevent them from getting water, sand, plants, rocks, etc. in them.
*deck joints – places where pieces of the bridge come together; they allow the road to expand and contract during temperature changes without breaking or cracking
*guard angle – metal protection of the edges of the bridge deck, usually an angle iron.
*polymer overlay – a type of product used on a bridge deck to seal and protect the concrete
*rail revision – modifying the metal or concrete guard rails along the bridge
*spalling – when small chunks of concrete break or flake off due to weather or damage
Vision Zero
MDT has undertaken an ambitious goal through Vision Zero, and that is to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on Montana’s highways. MDT is working towards Vision Zero through the engineering of Montana roadways to ensure Montana’s thousands of miles of state roads and highways are built and maintained with safety as the first concern.
Without good roads, bridges, and intersections, traveling safely and efficiently through Montana would be difficult. Not only would more deaths and injuries occur, but it would also be harder to do business, visit family, and organize community events. MDT is committed to providing transportation systems and services that are safe and affordable, protect the environment, and support economic growth for Montana.
Stay Involved
Public involvement is important to MDT and the success of the project. The community will be notified about public involvement opportunities through this website, local media, mailings, social media channels and other means as the project progresses.
MDT encourages questions and comments about the project. You can submit them through the MDT Comment page or directly to
UPN 9551001