November 15, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in cooperation with Lewis and Clark County and Sletten Construction, has successfully completed the replacement of the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, located 3 miles west of Lincoln.
Crews finished the final roadway and bridge work this week. On Friday morning, MDT and Lewis and Clark County conducted a project walk-through to evaluate any remaining needs.
Based on the results of this inspection, the bridge is now open!
Thank you, Lincoln, for being patient, following the detour, and keeping crews safe.
November 7, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in cooperation with Lewis and Clark County and Sletten Construction, is replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, located 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is currently in place using Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200). Please refer to the map below for details.
Crews will continue grooving the bridge deck as the weather allows this week. Next week, they will work on final touches across the project area. The bridge deck needs to be sealed before opening, which is a weather-dependent operation. MDT hopes to have the bridge open by the end of this month, weather and other factors permitting.
October 31, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in cooperation with Lewis and Clark County and Sletten Construction, is replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, located 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is currently in place using Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
Deck curing is ongoing. This week, crews poured concrete for the bridge curbs. Once the curb concrete has cured, the next steps include installing the bridge rail and guardrail. Additionally, crews will complete the placement of gravel and dirt on the south side of the bridge this week. Next week, the team will pour concrete for the embankment slope protectors and install drainage elements.
Crews expect to have two to three more weeks of finishing work on the bridge and approach roadways, weather permitting.
Happy Halloween! 🎃
October 24, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
Deck curing is ongoing. This week, crews poured the concrete for the paved approaches and will continue building the embankment and approaches on the north side of the bridge. Stream work has been completed. Next week, crews will pour the concrete for the bridge curbs, pending a strength test of the new bridge deck. The bridge deck must be cured enough (strong enough) to support equipment for this concrete work to proceed.
Crews have two to three more weeks of finishing work remaining on the bridge and approach roadways, weather and other factors permitting.
October 21, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200). See map below.
Deck curing is ongoing. This week, crews will continue preparing roadway approaches for the concrete pavement placed on both ends of the bridge structure and prepare forms for the concrete curb on the new bridge deck.
October 10, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
Deck curing is underway. This week, crews are working on riprap placement, bridge end backfills, and preparing roadway approaches for the concrete pavement that will be placed on both ends of the bridge structure. This work will continue next week.
October 3, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200). See map below.
Crews finished tying the rebar for the new bridge deck this week and began pouring it today.
Once the concrete is poured, it will need to cure for several weeks. While the bridge deck is curing, crews will continue road and approach work, installing guardrail, working on embankments and culverts, and pouring concrete curb.
September 26, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
Crews have placed all trusses and beams for the new bridge structure and removed the temporary work structure.
This week, crews are continuing to form the concrete molds for the new bridge deck. They are also completing all river work.
Next week, crews will continue forming the bridge deck and may begin tying rebar. Weather and other factors permitting, crews plan to pour the concrete for the new deck in early October.
September 19, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
Crews are continuing to place and bolt truss beams this week. They will also begin forming the bridge deck, starting on the north end of the structure and working south. Expected rain this week could delay this work.
Next week, crews will begin roadway excavation and embankment work for the roadway approaches on each side of the river. The bridge crew will continue forming the bridge deck and finalizing truss beam bolting.
September 12, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
This week, the installation of the first two loads of steel trusses for the north and center spans is underway. This involves bolting the trusses and associated beams to the bridge structure and checking the tension of the bolts to ensure stability and compliance with safety standards. Expected rain this week may delay this work.
The trusses for the south span have been delivered and are likely to be installed next week, depending on weather conditions and other factors.
September 5, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200). See map below.
This week, crews are pouring backwall on the south side of the river, and the first two loads of steel structures for the trusses will arrive and be installed. Backwalls sit above the cap and support the approach slab where the road ties into the bridge deck. This work will continue into next week.
Crews will also continue to place additional rip rap (large rocks that form the structure of the riverbank) and work on riverbank protection, including planting willows. This work will stabilize the riverbank to prevent erosion, reduce sediment, and protect the bridge's infrastructure.
August 29, 2024
In cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200). See map below.
This week, crews are pouring the cap on the south side of the river and the backwall on the north side of the river. Bridge caps sit on top of the drilled shafts and will support the truss on each side of the river. Backwalls sit above the cap and support the approach slab where the road ties into the bridge deck.
LABOR DAY: Crews will pause construction activities for the Labor Day weekend by 3 p.m. on Friday, August 30, and resume on Tuesday, September 3.
Next week, crews will pour the backwall on the south side of the river, and the first two loads of steel structures for the trusses will arrive and be installed. Crews will also place additional rip rap (large rocks that form the structure of the riverbank) and work on riverbank protection, including planting willows. This work will stabilize the riverbank to prevent erosion, reduce sediment, and protect the bridge's infrastructure.
August 23, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction, in cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200).
This week, crews removed the concrete form for the cap on the south side of the river. Bridge caps sit on top of the drilled shafts and will support the truss on each side of the river. Forms are removed after the concrete hardens so work can continue on the cap.
Next week, crews will be placing additional rip rap (large rocks that form the structure of the riverbank) and working on riverbank protection, including planting willows. This work will stabilize the riverbank to prevent erosion, reduce sediment, and protect the infrastructure of the bridge.
August 15, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction, in cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, are replacing the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River, 3 miles west of Lincoln. A detour is in place via Herrin Lake Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200). See map below.
Work continues this week on the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge replacement project.
Sletten Construction is continuing work pouring concrete for the last drilled shaft on the south side of the river, as well as the cap on the north side of the river. Bridge caps sit on top of the drilled shafts and will support the truss on each side of the river.
Next week, crews will be preparing to form the concrete cap on the south side of the river. This work includes final testing of the drilled shafts, grading the area around the cap location, placing the rebar, and setting the concrete forms. Concrete placement for the south cap is scheduled for the week of August 26-30.
The rebar cage and forms for the concrete cap on the north side of the river.
Placing the concrete for the final drilled shaft on the south side of the river.
August 9, 2024
This week, Montana Department of Transportation engineers began testing the drilled shafts on the north side of the river for spaces or gaps in the concrete. It is important that the concrete is solid throughout the drilled shaft so that settling does not occur.
Sletten also continued work this week on the drilled shafts on the south side of the river, which will continue next week. Crews will also continue pouring the concrete caps that sit on top of the drilled shafts, which will support the new truss on each side of the river.
August 1, 2024
This week, Sletten Construction continues work on the drilled shafts, the first components of the bridge foundation. Crews will place a permanent shaft casing on the south side of the river at the end of this week. Drilling and concrete work on other shafts will resume next week.
Next week, Sletten will also begin preparing a concrete cap to be placed on the north side of the river. The concrete bridge caps sit on top of the drilled shafts and will support the truss on each side of the river.
July 25, 2024
This week, Sletten Construction began work on the drilled shafts, which are the first components of the bridge foundation. The crews drilled cylindrical shafts into the ground approximately 85’ deep and filled them with concrete. Sletten drilled the first shaft on Monday and placed concrete on Thursday.
Next week, crews will continue work on the drilled shafts and the bridge bents, which provide vertical support for the bridge. The new Dalton Mountain Road bridge will have four drilled shafts, two on each end of the bridge. Concrete caps and backwalls will then be placed on the shafts to complete the foundations for the bridge.
In addition to the drilled shaft work, crews will continue building the work structure for the crane and equipment to utilize during construction. Half of that structure is currently built, which is where the crane is sitting right now. The other half will be constructed on the south side so they can begin work on the south end foundation.
July 18, 2024
Work to replace the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge is continuing. Sletten, the construction contractor, has removed the old bridge. Lewis and Clark County has graded the detour route, and Sletten applied magnesium chloride to control dust.
Earlier this week, crews began building the contractor’s work structure for the cranes and other equipment to utilize during construction. The first step, driving piles that will support the structure, is in progress and will continue into next week. Nearby residents should expect noise during pile-driving operations. Workers will also be installing stone riprap on the south bank of the river this week. The riprap is designed to protect the new structure and stabilize the riverbank.
Next week, weather and other factors permitting, crews will begin work on the drilled shafts for the bridge. This entails drilling cylindrical shafts into the ground and filling them with concrete. Drilled shafts provide a strong foundation for the new bridge. Nearby residents should expect some minor noise associated with this work. Crews will also continue placing riprap on the south side of the river and building the work structure.
July 10, 2024
Work to replace the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge has begun and Sletten, the construction contractor, has already removed most of the old bridge. Lewis and Clark County has graded the detour route and Sletten applied magnesium chloride to the detour route to control dust.
Tomorrow morning (Thursday, July 11), workers will be moving a crane that has been assembled in the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) maintenance yard north of Montana Highway 200 (MT 200) at Dalton Mountain Road. The traveling public should expect a minor delay as the workers move the crane across the roadway.
Next week, the crews will begin work on the drilled shafts for the bridge. This entails drilling or excavating cylindrical shafts into the ground and then filling them with concrete. Drilled shafts provide a strong foundation for the new bridge.
July 8, 2024
Starting on July 8, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction, in cooperation with Lewis and Clark County, will close the Dalton Mountain Road Bridge for demolition and reconstruction.
During the closure, traffic will be detoured around the project site on Herrin Lake Road and Stemple Pass Road. The detour length is approximately 11 miles, bridge end to bridge end.
When traveling during construction season, watch for the “cone zone” and workers on the highway. These workers spend their days working a short distance from fast-moving vehicles, and while they make every effort to work safely, they count on you to pay attention, slow down, and be careful as you pass through a work zone.