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Blankenship bridge closed Friday

| September 25, 2024 7:40 AM


The Blankenship Bridge north of Columbia Falls will be closed to all thru-traffic on Friday, Sept. 27, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for necessary repairs.

 An inspection by the Montana Department of Transportation earlier this summer prompted a structural analysis by Morrison-Maierle Engineering in August. The analysis revealed that the bridge required a temporary 5-ton weight restriction for safety until repairs could be completed. 

Helena-based contractors, Missouri River Contractors/Frontier West, have been hired by Flathead County to perform the repairs at an estimated cost of $6,775. The work will begin with drilling a “stop hole” at the end of a 3-inch crack found at the base of a beam during MDT’s inspection. 

Repairs are anticipated to be completed by the close of business on Friday, after which the bridge will be reopened.