Deer Lodge bridge replacement starts July 7; rerouting plan set

DEER LODGE Replacement of the historic bridge on Deer Lodges Main Street over Cottonwood Creek is scheduled to begin July 7.

Montana Department of Transportation officials and Stacey Otte, representing Bauer and Buck Construction of Helena, met with Powell County commissioners, city officials and local residents Wednesday to explain the construction schedule and plans for easing the potential impact on local businesses.

Heres the plan:

A two-way traffic/pedestrian detour route around the construction site will divert traffic west on Rainbow Avenue then south on Second Street to Missouri Avenue. However, westbound traffic on Higgins Avenue will have northbound access to Main Street. After local business people and others expressed concern, officials agreed that business access signage will be placed at the corner of Second and Cottonwood. also. No parking or access is permitted from California Avenue to just north of Higgins Avenue.

Safety first, Otte said. Cooperation from the community in avoiding the construction limits is essential to a safe and productive project. We encouragedrivers to slow down andbe aware ofincreased pedestrian traffic.

Construction work, expected to be completed by Oct. 8, includes removal of the existing bridge structure, excavation, installation of a new water main, drainage and electric utilities, installation of the new bridge structure with asphalt overlay, stream restoration, retaining wall, sidewalk, curb and gutter, signing and epoxy striping.

Main Street is state Highway 275 and is maintained by the highway department while bridges in the county are the responsibility of the commissioners. Cost of the project is $1.6 million. A FEMA grant is paying for construction of the bridge, MDOT paid for design and engineering. The city will replace an eight-inch city water main.

Monthly project status meetings are planned and will be announced.

The contractor contact number for comments, questions and/or complaints during construction is 406-565-8855. Calls will be answered 7 a.m.-7 p.m. or working hours; calls outside of working hours will be returned the next working day leave name and number on the message.

Pat Hansen may be reached via email at phansen@blackfoot.net

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Deer Lodge bridge replacement starts July 7; rerouting plan set