Project Overview

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Sletten Construction will rehabilitate 11 bridges in southeastern Montana as part of the Glendive District Bridge Preservation project. These bridges impact Montana Highway 39 (MT 39), US Highways 212 (US 212) and 12 (US 12), Interstate 94 (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 routine upkeep. They are safe to drive on, but it is vital to implement repairs to preserve their service life.

Project Map

Southeast Montana Bridge Preservation Project Map
Click on the image for a larger view

Impacts on the Public

During work hours, motorists along these routes should expect short delays, flaggers and signals controlling the movement of traffic, single-lane restrictions, and reduced speed limits. MDT and Sletten Construction will maintain traffic flow but rely on you to keep roadway crews safe.

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.

Timeline

MDT and Sletten Construction expect to complete the Powder River Bridge, the Little Powder River Bridge, the East and Westbound I 94 bridges near Forsyth, the Tongue River Bridge, the Otter Creek Bridge, and the Rosebud Creek Bridge this year in order, weather and other factors permitting. The rest of the structures are slated for construction next season.

Bridge List

MDT Structure ID	Feature Intersected	Location	Expected Work
05805	INT Colstrip I 94	6mi W FORSYTH	Safety enhancements, bridge deck removal and replacement, and erosion control.
05800	Armells Creek	22mi NW OF COLSTRIP	Bridge deck repair and erosion control.
05799	Railroad	21mi NW OF COLSTRIP	Safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, and erosion control.
05788	Rosebud Creek	9mi SE COLSTRIP	Replacing rubber seals, applying a crack sealing treatment, and erosion control.
05622	Powder River	1 mile southeast of Broadus	Safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, applying a crack sealing treatment, and erosion control.
05623	Little Powder River	7 miles southeast of Broadus	Safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, applying a crack sealing treatment, and erosion control.
05783	Tongue River	1 mile west of Ashland (west end of the bridge is on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation)	Deck joint resealing, safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, applying a crack sealing treatment, and erosion control.
05784	Otter Creek	E Edge of Ashland	Applying a crack sealing treatment.
05522	Railroad	SW Edge of Forsyth	Safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, applying a crack sealing treatment, rail repair, and erosion control.
01946	I 94 Eastbound	East Forsyth	Safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, applying a crack sealing treatment, and erosion control.
01947	I 94 Westbound	East Forsyth	Safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, applying a crack sealing treatment, and erosion control.

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.

UPN 9551001