The Maclay Bridge Available for Adoption
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) plans to construct a new bridge spanning the Bitterroot River on South Avenue west of Missoula. The project would bypass the Maclay Bridge on River Pines Road and render it redundant to carry vehicular traffic. Missoula County will not retain ownership of the bridge, making it available for adoption for public and/or private entities. The Maclay Bridge consists of a pin connected Parker through-truss, a Warren pony truss, and 2 prestressed concrete spans. The through-truss was built in 1914 at another location and, along with the pony truss span, moved to its current location in 1953. The prestressed concrete components of the bridge were added in 1964. The current bridge is 16 feet wide and 346 feet in length, including the 180-foot steel through-truss bridge span and the 39-foot pony truss span. The estimated weight of the through-truss span is 140 tons with the deck and 50 tons without the deck. The estimated weight of the pony truss is 27 tons with the deck and 7 tons without the deck. The bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Additional information about the bridge can be found here: National Register Nomination.
Anyone interested in adopting the old bridge in-place or relocating it would be required to obtain the necessary federal, state, and local permits and easements, provide MDT with a plan outlining how the bridge would be moved (if necessary), and state the intended use of the structure. The adopter of the structure would be required to maintain it as an historic bridge for ten years after the adoption process has been completed. Details related to MDT’s Historic Bridge Adoption program can be found on our Historic Bridge Adoption Details page. Interested parties must submit initial screening materials on or before December 16, 2024.
For further information, please contact Thaddeus Lesnik at 406-444-9457 or
Maclay Bridge West approach looking East with load posting signs.
Maclay Bridge elevation looking North East.
Maclay Bridge elevation looking South.