Construction crews have mobilized on the first phase of a multi-year effort to replace a string of aging timber bridges in central Montana, a project the Montana Department of Transportation says will continue through 2028 and aims to limit travel disruptions for local residents.
The Lewistown Area Bridges-DAR Structures Project will replace 11 timber bridges across the region. Work on the initial segment began in June at the Dry Wolf Creek Bridge on MT 81, roughly 6 miles southeast of Denton, officials said. The first phase includes four structures in Fergus County and one in Wheatland County scheduled for work during 2026 and 2027.
What motorists should expect
MDT has outlined measures to keep traffic moving as new spans are built. Contractors will construct temporary roadways adjacent to the existing travel lanes so motorists generally will not be diverted onto long back-road detours, though speed reductions and active work zones will be in place.
“We started construction on the first phase of the project, which includes replacement of five bridges in central Montana,”
The agency also urged extra caution for motorcyclists using gravel on temporary routes and said planners accounted for agricultural vehicles, wide loads and other local traffic types common to the area.
Which bridges are first
The initial five bridges slated for replacement are:
- Dry Wolf Creek Bridge — MT 81 (~6 miles SE of Denton)
- Three drainage bridges — MT 81 west of Brooks
- Deadman’s Basin Canal Bridge — Secondary Highway 297 north of Shawmut
MDT’s Beth Kappes, the agency’s alternative contracting engineer on the project, said the sites were prioritized because some structures will require substantial work before winter weather arrives.
Funding and partners
The full undertaking is a cooperative effort that includes the Department of Defense and receives partial funding through the Defense Access Road (DAR) program. MDT said the collaboration helps address infrastructure that supports both civilian and defense-related travel.
For drivers, the near-term implications are straightforward: expect reduced speeds, flaggers and lane controls in work areas, and temporary gravel surfaces at points where contractors are routing traffic around active construction. MDT recommends allowing extra travel time and watching for signage.
| Phase | Bridges | Approx. timing |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Dry Wolf Creek; three MT 81 drainage bridges; Deadman’s Basin Canal | 2026–2027 |
| Full project | 11 timber bridges across central Montana | Through 2028 |
Travelers seeking the most current construction schedules and lane-closure details should consult MDT’s project page. The department emphasized that the temporary road alignments are intended to minimize lengthy detours while crews complete the bridge replacements.
Local residents and commercial haulers are likely to feel the project’s effects most directly during construction seasons. MDT said it designed the staging to accommodate heavy agricultural equipment and oversized loads that move frequently through the Lewistown area.
News Block will monitor project updates and report on major schedule changes or lane closures affecting central Montana communities.
