Highway 200 bridge reopens
The Highway 200 bridge over the Clark Fork River north of town opened Friday to one lane of traffic after an expedited project to replace the span’s bridge deck.
(Courtesy photo)
TROUT CREEK — The Highway 200 bridge over the Clark Fork River north of town opened Friday to one lane of traffic after an expedited project to replace the span’s bridge deck.
The bridge was closed on June 1 in order to conduct the necessary repairs, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.
Motorists can expect traffic reduced to one lane through the work zone until the project is completed in September.
“Hard work, innovative construction techniques and favorable weather conditions allowed the bridge to reopen ahead of schedule,” said John Schmidt, MDT Missoula District construction engineer. “We really appreciate our contracting partner Kiewit working nights and weekends to help make it happen.”
One of the methods MDT used to accelerate construction was by placing precast concrete deck panels using a specialized cart and rail system rather than pouring a new concrete deck.