I 90 Eastbound Clark Fork River Bridge - 5 Miles East of Alberton Updates

November 6, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are nearing completion on the eastbound Clark Fork River bridge, five miles east of Alberton. The remaining construction activities include:

• Concrete framework removal from under the bridge.
• Paving the bridge ends using asphalt.
• Guardrail installation.
• Final pavement markings.

Construction will be substantially complete after the above activities. Once construction is complete, traffic control will switch to single-lane traffic on each bridge.

What to expect

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of Interstate 90 (I 90).
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.

Width restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
• Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information..

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

October 27, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are nearing completion on the eastbound Interstate 90 (I 90) bridge, five miles east of Alberton. The remaining work includes guardrail installation and final paving on both ends of the bridge.

Once construction is complete, traffic control will switch to single-lane traffic on each bridge.

October 20, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are finishing work on the eastbound bridge barrier rail this week. Next week, crews will begin preparations to mill and pave the approaches on both ends of the bridge, weather permitting. Milling and paving is expected to take a couple of weeks to complete.

What to expect

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of Interstate 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.

Width restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
• Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information..

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

October 13, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are completing work on the expansion joints and preparing for barrier rail installment on the eastbound bridge. Crews will place concrete for the barrier rails over the next couple of weeks, weather permitting.

What to expect

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of Interstate 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.

Width restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
• Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information..

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

September 29, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have completed concrete deck (driving surface) placement on the Interstate 90 (I 90) eastbound bridge that crosses the Clark Fork River, five miles east of Alberton.

What's next
Crews will continue working on placing rebar to form new barrier rails and prepare to work on expansion joints.

What to expect

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.

Width restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
• Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information..

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

September 21, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are continuing to place the concrete bridge deck (driving surface) on the Interstate 90 (I 90) eastbound bridge that crosses the Clark Fork River, five miles east of Alberton.

This work is taking place at night, from 2 a.m. to dawn approximately three nights per week. During night work, bright lights are used to illuminate the work site.

It is currently anticipated that deck placement work will be completed next week, weather permitting.

During daytime, crews are doing various prep work tasks for the next concrete placement.

September 1, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have completed placing the rebar on the eastbound Interstate 90 (I 90) bridge forms five miles east of Alberton. Crews anticipate placing concrete late next week, weather permitting. Forming the concrete bridge deck is expected to take between 5 and 6 weeks to complete.

Construction activities will pause for the Labor Day holiday weekend and will resume on Tuesday, September 5. Remember to be aware of the increase in traffic as we approach Labor Day. Be safe and be mindful as you travel this weekend.

What to expect

• Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately six miles.
• Shifting crossover traffic patterns.
• East and westbound traffic traveling on the same side of I 90.
• Speed limit reduced to 35 mph.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.

Width restrictions:

• Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
• Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
• Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution> through work zones.

August 25, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are completing the steel rebar placement on the eastbound Interstate 90 (I 90) bridge that crosses the Clark Fork River, five miles east of Alberton. After rebar placement is complete, crews will begin preparing to pour the new concrete deck.

Crews will be working on the bridge Monday through Thursday, with traffic control in place 24/7.

What to expect

• Single-lane traffic with reduced speeds of 35 mph for approximately six miles.
• Signage along the riverbank will direct river users beneath the bridge
• Width restrictions:
  • Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
  • Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of I 90.
  • Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

August 7, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West expect to begin preparing the second half of the eastbound Clark Fork bridge deck (driving surface) for concrete next week. Crews are wrapping up rebar installation on the first of the bridge and working on the expansion joints. Expansion joints are mechanisms in place to allow the concrete to expand and shrink as temperature changes without cracking.

As prep work continues on the bridge deck over the next few weeks, crews will also begin working below the bridge to remove paint from the substructure. A structure called "falsework" is built below the bridge to allow workers to safely work under the bridge. The falsework also protects the river.

Crews will be working on the highway Monday through Thursday, with traffic control continuing 24/7.

What to expect

• Single-lane traffic with reduced speeds of 35 mph for approximately four miles.
• Signage along the riverbank will direct river users beneath the bridge.
• Width restrictions:
  • Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
  • Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of Interstate 90 (I 90).
  • Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

July 26, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have nearly completed building the forms on the bridge deck and are installing rebar in preparation to pour the new concrete deck.

What to expect

• Single-lane traffic with reduced speeds of 35 mph for approximately four miles.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.
• Width restrictions:
  • Westbound loads greater than 12 feet wide are restricted and will not be piloted through the project area.
  • Eastbound wide loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage at mile marker 78 (east of Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of Interstate 90 (I 90).
  • Eastbound loads must stage Monday through Friday mornings by 7 a.m. (MST) to be piloted through the project area.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

June 12, 2023

Construction Update

Crews are finishing up the removal of the bridge deck (driving surface) and preparing to build the new concrete deck. After the bridge deck is removed, crews will make concrete repairs and complete the forms for the placement of the new bridge deck.

What to expect

• Single-lane traffic with reduced speeds of 35 mph for approximately four miles.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.
• Width restrictions.
  • Monday through Friday mornings loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage by 7 a.m. (MST) at the signed staging areas to be piloted through the project area.
  • Eastbound wide loads must stage at mile marker 78 (east of the Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of Interstate 90 (I 90).
  • Westbound wide loads must stage at mile marker 81 in the signed dead lane of I 90.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

May 31, 2023

Construction Update

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have installed a Safespan system underneath the eastbound bridge over the Clark Fork River.

The Safespan system provides easy access to the underside of the bridge allowing workers to operate safely while keeping the river free of debris and other construction materials. The bridge platform is supported by cables fastened in equal intervals to the bridge’s structural members. The steel docking is specially configured to the project’s scope and weight requirements.

Crews are currently removing the bridge deck and are making preparations to form and pour the new concrete deck.

What to expect

• Single-lane traffic with reduced speeds of 35 mph for approximately four miles.
• Signage along the river bank will direct river users beneath the bridge.
• 12-foot width restrictions.
  • Monday through Friday mornings, loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage by 7 a.m. (MST) at the signed staging areas to be piloted through the project area.
  • Eastbound wide loads must stage at mile marker 78 (east of the Petty Creek Interchange, Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of Interstate 90 (I 90).
  • Westbound wide loads must stage at mile marker 81 in the signed dead lane of I 90.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

May 11, 2023

Construction Update

Work to construct crossovers in the median of the interstate has been completed. East and westbound traffic will travel in the westbound lanes. Crews are expecting to begin work to remove the bridge deck in the next week. This work is expected to take several weeks to complete.

What to expect

• Single-lane traffic with reduced speeds of 35 mph for approximately 4 miles.
• 12-foot width restrictions.
  • Monday through Friday mornings, loads greater than 12 feet wide must stage by 7 a.m. (MST) at the signed staging areas to be piloted through the project area.
  • Eastbound wide loads must stage at mile marker 78 (east of the Petty Creek Interchange Exit 77) in the signed dead lane of Interstate 90 (I 90).
  • Westbound wide loads must stage at mile marker 81 in the signed dead lane of I 90.

Call Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for further information on passage through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

April 7, 2023

Construction Ahead

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West are rehabilitating the eastbound bridge that carries Interstate 90 (I 90) over the Clark Fork River 5 miles east of Alberton.

What to expect

Crews will be working on and around the bridge over the next couple of weeks.

Work to construct crossovers in the median of the interstate near the bridges will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction, reduce speed limits, and include a width restriction of 16 feet. Once the crossovers are built, all traffic will be moved to the westbound lanes.

Once traffic is crossed over, a 12-foot width restriction will be in place. There will be posted pilot car times each morning to allow loads wider than 12 feet to pass through the project area.

Visit 511MT.NET for the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.

March 24, 2023

Construction activities are anticipated to begin the week of March 27

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West will begin work rehabilitating the eastbound bridge that carries Interstate 90 (I 90) over the Clark Fork River 5 miles east of Alberton the week of March 27, pending weather.

Crews will be working on and around the bridge over the next couple of weeks.

Work to construct crossovers in the median of the interstate is anticipated to begin as soon as weather conditions are favorable.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, MDT encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down, and use caution through work zones.