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MDT details bridge damage from recent flooding and truck strike near Bozeman; expects multi‑month repairs
Summary
Deputy Director Larry Flynn told the committee MDT crews are responding to significant bridge approach washouts near Libby Creek from recent floods and to eastbound interstate bridge damage near Bozeman (Bear Canyon) caused by an over‑height load; engineers recommend replacing two load‑bearing beams and reopening could take months while costs are tracked and later billed to the carrier/insurer.
Deputy Director Larry Flynn described two separate recent incidents that have disrupted travel and required engineering repair at scale. MDT engineers inspected approach washouts and structural damage at Libby Creek in northwest Montana after a flooding event; Flynn said MDT plans to replace the two‑span bridge with a longer three‑span structure to remove the bottleneck and improve resiliency, and suggested crews may be able to accelerate construction to open by next November though he did not commit to a firm deadline.
Separately, John Swartz, MDT operations manager, described an incident east of Bozeman near the Bear Canyon exit where an over‑height load attempting to pass under an interstate structure struck and damaged multiple load‑bearing beams; the interstate eastbound beneath the structure has been closed and traffic is routed off the ramp with local detours. Initial engineer recommendations after an inspection were to remove and replace two beams and associated deck work; MDT staff are capturing response, maintenance and reconstruction costs to bill the carrier and its insurer after the full accounting is complete.
Lawmakers questioned whether repair options such as epoxy injection (used historically on prestressed beams) were being considered; engineers said removing and replacing the two beams was the recommended initial approach but staff continue to review options. Swartz said MDT is tracking all costs associated with emergency response, inspection and repair for later recovery from the responsible carrier or insurer.
MDT said the bridge closure and detours will disrupt local traffic and school routes and repairs will require time to manufacture/transport replacement beams and schedule installation.
