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Cascade County extends MCEP grant deadline for Arlington Bridge project amid rising cost concerns
Summary
The Cascade County Commission voted 2-1 to accept an amendment extending a Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) grant for the Arlington Bridge replacement to March 31, 2028, while commissioners expressed concern about rising project costs and unresolved easement negotiations with Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
The Cascade County Commission voted 2-1 April 22 to approve contract 25-42, an amendment extending the Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) grant for the Arlington Bridge replacement project to March 31, 2028.
The extension preserves $750,000 in MCEP funds previously awarded for construction work on the Arlington Bridge; Cascade County staff told commissioners that initial construction estimates were $1.6 million but have risen to about $2.4 million because of inflation and additional requirements tied to Burlington Northern Santa Fe. County staff said the county holds about $2.8 million in a reserve account for the project.
Why it matters: The bridge has repeatedly flooded and its in-channel piers trap debris, county staff said, creating recurring safety and…
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