Silver Bow County holds review of Harrison Avenue walking-tunnel after health, ownership questions

Butte-Silver Bow Public Works Committee members on June 25 reviewed communication number 202-4544, a request from Commissioner Michelle Shea (District 2) for a status update on the walking trail tunnel under Harrison Avenue south of Dickey's BBQ.

The item matters because committee members and residents reported standing, foul water, dead fish and human activity inside the tunnel and raised questions about which agency bears responsibility for repairs and long-term maintenance.

Commissioner Michelle Shea introduced the communication and asked Director Neri for an update; Public Works Director Neri replied, "At this time, I do not have any more information or any updates." Commissioner Healy said historical records show Silver Bow has maintained the structure since about 2000 and asked why responsibility is now in question. Healy described observed conditions and safety concerns: "People are concerned about the water that is now you know, has dead fish in there. They've observed transients urinating in there. It's pretty filthy." Director Neri said the repairs would be expensive and that if the tunnel is not county-owned, the county would not undertake the work: "it's gonna take it's a pretty big financial hit to fix what's going on with it. And if it's not ours, we're not gonna fix it." Neri added that crews have cleaned the tunnel twice.

Committee members discussed jurisdictional next steps. Director Neri said he will meet with the Montana Department of Transportation on July 15. Commissioner Shea said she would report the condition to the health department, adding she would "send an email tomorrow, and I will make sure that Trudy's on that." After debate about scheduling and whether the matter should remain active on committee agendas, the committee voted first to hold the item in abeyance and later, on a separate motion, to place communication 202-4544 in the committee suspense file until the public works meeting on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. The final vote on the August hold was 6-0.

The committee did not adopt any repair plan or allocate funds; members instructed staff to continue investigating ownership and jurisdiction and to pursue health-department notification. Director Neri characterized complete removal or restoration to the original culvert form as a likely option but said responsibility and funding remain unresolved.

Committee members and staff acknowledged public-safety and environmental concerns and set a date to revisit the item once staff has more information from MDT and the health department.