Road and Bridge director warns of Hodgkin Road closure, outlines millings plan; commissioners approve Blankenship Bridge erosion-control contract

Road and Bridge Director Dave Prunty briefed Flathead County commissioners Feb. 4 on winter operations, a near-term road closure, the county millings program and ongoing bridge projects, and said the County awarded a construction contract for the Blankenship Bridge erosion-control job.

Prunty said Hodgkin Road has repeatedly become impassable in the current storm pattern and authorized closures when conditions create public-safety risks. He said the sheriff authorized him to close the road and that crews planned to close it between 11 a.m. and noon on Feb. 4 because a stronger storm with sustained winds and heavy snow was expected. Prunty said the county would re-open the road when winds decrease, possibly Thursday morning, depending on conditions.

"We're gonna get that closed today at about noon and then open back up. I'm thinking it's a Thursday morning opening, but we'll see what weather conditions do tomorrow," Prunty said. He added that social-media blasts and emergency-notification channels used last year were effective and would be used again.

Salt, sand and winter treatment: Prunty reviewed the county's winter treatment approach and limits of salt effectiveness. He said standard salt-based treatments lose effectiveness around 15 degrees Fahrenheit and that the county uses a salt-and-sand mix for traction. He described a high-cost additive sometimes called "ice slicer" that MDT uses sparingly because of its price and said the county is evaluating options but has not adopted expensive additives for routine use.

Millings and summer work: Prunty outlined a plan to use millings (recycled asphalt millings) from MDT projects and county sources to patch and extend paved sections in the Lost Creek/West Valley area, and to clear space at the Cemetery Pit near the animal shelter for incoming millings from upcoming state projects. He said the county typically completes one millings project per season and recommended tying several short segments together so work patches to existing pavement.

Blankenship Bridge and Bridge Street (Bigfork): Prunty said Olympus Technical Services of Helena was the low bidder for the Blankenship Bridge erosion-control project and that the commissioners approved the contract at $529,354.70. He said April 15 was a target completion cutoff because of permitting conditions and seasonal high-water concerns, and that the Flathead National Forest had signaled it would allow earlier access than previously discussed if the paperwork were completed.

On the Bridge Street/Bigfork project, Prunty said utility relocations remain a critical path item (CenturyLink lines remain to be moved) and that micro-pile drilling on the village side has progressed but encountered variable ground conditions and equipment problems. He said the contractor (Battle Ridge) had continued work where possible and used cold-weather curing plans for concrete pour operations.

"Nobody is saying we're not gonna make July 4. But every time we have issues, that float starts to get used up... we want a good bridge," Prunty said of the project schedule and priorities.

Ending: Prunty asked commissioners to expect follow-up as contracts are fully executed and construction schedules confirmed; staff will post road-closure notices and continue coordination with MDT and federal land managers.