August 7, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following work planned for Monday, August 10, through Friday, August 14. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Next week, crews will continue constructing the bridge deck. Concrete pours for the bridge backwalls are scheduled for Monday, August 10, and Tuesday, August 11. Watch for trucks entering and exiting the project area.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is now traveling on the highway over the new box culvert.
Drivers should expect to travel on a gravel surface until crews return later this summer to pave the roadway.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is now traveling on the highway over the new box culvert.
Drivers should expect to travel on a gravel surface until crews return later this summer to pave the roadway.
Next week, crews will continue placing support material around the culvert.
Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge on Secondary Highway 297 (S 297) at mile marker 0.9, 1 mile north of Shawmut
Traffic will be traveling on the detour by the weekend. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Next week, crews will begin demolishing the current structure.
Traffic control will be in place throughout construction. Expect reduced speeds and shoulder closures and watch for workers and equipment. Brief, single-lane closures may be required.
Crews will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July 31, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following work planned for Monday, August 3, through Friday, August 7. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Crews have placed the concrete beams that will support the new bridge deck. Next week, they will continue securing the beams and preparing for construction of the bridge deck.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is now traveling on the highway over the new box culvert. Drivers should expect to travel on a gravel surface until crews return later this summer to pave the roadway.
Crews will also return to continue placing support material around the culvert.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Next week, crews will continue to build the new box culvert.
Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge on Secondary Highway 297 (S 297) at mile marker 0.9, 1 mile north of Shawmut
Crews have begun work on the detour. Next week, construction of the detour bridge will begin.
All work will occur on the west side of the highway. Minimal traffic disruption is anticipated.
Traffic control will be in place throughout construction. Expect reduced speeds and shoulder closures, and watch for workers and equipment. Brief, single-lane closures may be required.
Crews will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Text/SMS Notifications*: The Lewistown Area Bridges-DAR Structures project is moving to a new text service on August 1. To sign up for updates on the new service, text lewistowndar to 406-302-9922. *Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Text STOP to unsubscribe. Texting alerts are not managed by MDT and may have different privacy and security policies. more information, see this site.
July 24, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following work planned for Monday, July 27, through Friday, July 31. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Crews are working on the bridge’s abutments. Next, they will begin installing the concrete bridge beams and constructing the bridge deck.
On Thursday, July 30, crews will place the steel beams on top of the piers. During this work, the detour will be temporarily reduced to a single lane. Flaggers will alternate eastbound and westbound traffic through the work zone.
Drivers should expect short delays when traveling through the area. Please follow all traffic control and watch for trucks entering and exiting the work zone.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is now traveling on the highway over the new box culvert. Drivers should expect to travel on a gravel surface until crews return later this summer to pave the roadway.
Crews will also return to continue placing support material around the culvert.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Next week, crews will continue to build the new box culvert.
Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge on Secondary Highway 297 (S 297) at mile marker 0.9, 1 mile north of Shawmut
Next week, construction of the detour will begin. All work will occur on the west side of the highway. Minimal traffic disruption is anticipated.
Traffic control will be in place throughout construction. Expect reduced speeds and shoulder closures, and watch for workers and equipment. Brief, single-lane closures may be required.
Crews will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Text/SMS Notifications*: The Lewistown Area Bridges-DAR Structures project is moving to a new text service on August 1. To sign up for updates on the new service, text lewistowndar to 406-302-9922.
July 17, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following work planned for Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Crews have completed driving piles, the long steel columns that help support the bridge.
Construction of the bridge abutments is ongoing. These are the support structures at each end of the bridge.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
The construction of the concrete box culvert is complete. Crews are currently placing support material around the culvert and are rebuilding the roadway.
Traffic is expected to be moved back on the highway by the middle of next week. Drivers will travel on a gravel surface until crews return later this summer to pave.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Next week, crews will begin dismantling the existing structure. Watch for trucks entering and exiting the project site.
Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge on Secondary Highway 297 (S 297) at mile marker 0.9, 1 mile north of Shawmut
Detour construction is expected to begin soon. All work will occur on the west side of the highway. Minimal traffic disruption is anticipated.
Traffic control will be in place throughout construction. Expect reduced speeds and shoulder closures, and watch for workers and equipment. Brief, single-lane closures may be required.
Crews will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July 10, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following work planned for Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Crews will continue constructing the bridge abutments, the support structures at each end of the bridge.
Crews will also begin driving piles, long steel columns driven deep into the ground to support the bridge. The first pile will be tested to determine whether any adjustments are needed before the remaining piles are installed.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. For more information, call 406-207-4484.
Crews will continue constructing the new concrete box culvert.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
Detour construction is complete. Traffic is expected to be moved onto the detour in late July.
Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge on Secondary Highway 297 (S 297) at mile marker 0.9, 1 mile north of Shawmut
Detour construction is expected to begin soon. All work will occur on the west side of the highway. Minimal traffic disruption is anticipated.
Traffic control will be in place throughout construction. Expect reduced speeds and shoulder closures, and watch for workers and equipment. Brief, single-lane closures may be required.
Crews will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July 2, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following planned for Monday, July 6, through Friday, July 10. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Traffic is traveling on the detour. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. Please call 406-207-4484 for more information.
Crews are dismantling the existing bridge structure. Next week, work will begin on the bridge abutments, the support structures at each end of the bridge. Crews will also begin placing riprap, a layer of large rocks used to prevent erosion.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
Construction of the detour is underway. Traffic is expected to be moved onto the detour early next week. The two-lane detour can accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. Please call 406-207-4484 for more information.
Crews will begin removing the existing structure after the detour is in place. Once the structure has been removed, crews will begin constructing a new concrete box culvert.
Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
Next week, detour construction will begin.
Traffic control will be on site, speed limits will be reduced, and shoulder closures will be in place throughout the construction zones. Brief, single-lane road closures may be periodically required.
Crews will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Work will pause by 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, and resume on Monday, July 6, in observance of the Fourth of July.
When traveling through the project work zones, slow down, follow traffic control, and watch for workers and equipment.
June 26, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following planned for Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Crews are nearing completion of the temporary detour next to the existing structure.
Traffic is expected to be moved onto the detour on Tuesday, June 30. The two-lane detour will accommodate oversized vehicles with advance notice. Please call 406-207-4484 for more information.
Utility Relocations
Utility relocation work continues in preparation for bridge replacement at the following locations:
- Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 35.4, 5 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
All work will occur on the side of the highway. Minimal traffic disruption is anticipated at all locations.
Traffic control will be on site, speed limits will be reduced, and shoulder closures will be in place throughout the construction zones. Brief, single-lane road closures may be periodically required.
Crews will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work will pause by 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, and resume on Monday, July 6, in observance of the Fourth of July.
When traveling through the project work zones, slow down, follow traffic control, and watch for workers and equipment.
June 17, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner, Sletten Construction, have the following planned for Wednesday, June 17, through Friday, June 26. All work is dependent on the weather and other unforeseen factors.
Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81) at mile marker 19.9, 6 miles southeast of Denton
Crews will begin building the detour next to the existing structure. Watch for trucks entering and exiting the project site.
Utility Relocations
Crews will also be relocating utilities in preparation for construction at the following locations:
- Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 34.9, 6 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 35.4, 5 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage bridge on MT 81 at mile marker 36.6, 4 miles west of Brooks
All work will occur on the side of the highway. Minimal traffic disruption is anticipated at all locations.
Traffic control will be on site, speed limits will be reduced, and shoulder closures will be in place throughout the construction zones. Brief, single-lane road closures may be periodically required.
When traveling through the project sites, remember the three Ss of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
June 5, 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partners, Sletten Construction and Morrison-Maierle, will begin replacing the following five timber bridges in central Montana in June:
Fergus County
- Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81), 6 miles southeast of Denton
- Drainage Bridge on MT 81, 6 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage Bridge on MT 81, 5 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage Bridge on MT 81, 4 miles west of Brooks
Wheatland County
- Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge on Secondary Highway 297 (S 297), 1 mile north of Shawmut
During construction, detours will be directly next to the current structures, and minimal traffic disruptions are anticipated. Traffic control will be on-site, speed limits will be reduced, and shoulder closures will be in place through the construction zones.
A motorcycle advisory will be in effect due to the gravel surfaces on the detours, which can create hazardous riding conditions. Motorcyclists are strongly encouraged to consider using an alternate route.
When traveling through the construction zones, stay alert, slow down, and follow traffic control to help keep everyone safe.
Weekly email and project webpage updates will be available during construction. Text message updates will also be provided. To receive text message* updates, text LEWISTOWNDAR to 41411.
These bridge replacements are the first phase of the Lewistown Area Bridges-DAR Structures project that will replace 11 regional timber bridges through 2028.
If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing Sloane at
March 2026
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partners, Sletten Construction and Morrison-Maierle, are continuing preparations for the start of construction on the Lewistown Area Bridges-DAR Structures project.
This project involves replacing 11 timber bridges in the Lewistown area, which have been divided into two construction packages. The first package is scheduled for replacement in 2026 and 2027, and the second package in 2027 and 2028.
Work on the first package of bridge replacements is expected to begin in early summer and will include:
- Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on Montana Highway 81 (MT 81), 6 miles southeast of Denton
- Drainage Bridge on MT 81, 6 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage Bridge on MT 81, 5 miles west of Brooks
- Drainage Bridge on MT 81, 4 miles west of Brooks
- Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge on Secondary Highway 297 (S 297), 1 mile north of Shawmut
During construction, detours will be directly next to the current structures, and minimal traffic disruptions are anticipated. Traffic control will be on-site, speed limits will be reduced, and shoulder closures will be in place through the construction zones.
A motorcycle advisory will be in effect due to the gravel surfaces on the detours, which can create hazardous riding conditions. Motorcyclists are strongly encouraged to consider using an alternate route.
When work begins, watch for crews working along the highway. They operate just feet from passing vehicles and rely on drivers to stay alert, slow down, and use extra caution to help keep everyone safe.
More information regarding construction start dates, the order of bridge replacements, and what travelers can expect during construction will be provided soon.
Regular email and project webpage updates will be available during construction. Text message updates will also be provided. To receive text message* updates, text LEWISTOWNDAR to 41411.
If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing Sloane at