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Road crews report spring transition, bridge completions and pit reclamation progress
Summary
Flathead County Road and Bridge reported May operations including millings projects, near‑complete Bigfork Bridge work, a Lost Creek milling and plans for pit reclamation and sheep‑herder pit closure.
Flathead County Road and Bridge presented an extended May operations report to commissioners on June 3 detailing gravel road grading, chip‑seal and milling projects, bridge work and pit reclamation efforts.
Road Supervisor Dave Fonte told the board May is a transition month out of winter maintenance and into gravel grading and sweeping. Crews completed milling on Lost Creek in West Valley using reclaimed millings sourced from Montana Department of Transportation and the City of Kalispell; the county plans a chip seal pass in mid‑July to finish that work.
Bridge projects: Bridge Street Bridge in Bigfork is nearing completion; Fonte said railing deliveries and final approach paving remained but contractors were preparing for a mid‑June opening window. The county will evaluate post‑opening needs and a ribbon‑cutting is anticipated. The Blankenship Bridge erosion control project is essentially complete and has been monitored through recent high‑water events.
Pit reclamation and materials: County staff reported progress on DEQ “Open Cut” reclamation work for several county pits. The Sheep Herder pit is undergoing subgrade grading and the county expects to bid closure work (estimated $300,000–$350,000) later this summer. Staff have located a nearby source for topsoil that could reduce haul costs.
Other operations: The county executed a trade to accept millings from Highway 35 work, storing materials and planning hauling schedules to accommodate permitted hours of operation. A recent small asphalt contract (Craccio project) went slightly over budget to complete the job.
Fonte also highlighted a public outreach visit where bridge operators brought local schoolchildren to view equipment, part of a workforce development effort to interest young people in road trades.
Commissioners asked about annual milling capacity and were told the county averages 1–2 miles of milling projects per year depending on availability of material and logistics.
