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Flathead County describes bridge damage and insurance-driven repair process after 2 Mile Drive strike
Summary
County road director reported that a Nov. 17 bridge strike on the 2 Mile Drive bypass damaged prestressed girders, triggering MDT assessment, temporary traffic controls and insurance inspections; county officials said Liberty Mutual and engineering firms will develop repair estimates and the county expects to work with insurers on procurement.
Flathead County Road Department Director Dave Prunty told commissioners Dec. 2 that a Nov. 17 bridge strike on the bypass at 2 Mile Drive damaged several prestressed girders, temporarily closed lanes and will likely be repaired through insurance-funded work with consultant oversight.
Prunty described the incident: a hauling truck carrying an excavator struck girder 1 and caused damage to girder 5 after the excavator’s boom was up while the vehicle traveled under the bridge. Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) bridge engineers assessed the structure; Prunty said girders 1 and 5 were identified as structurally compromised and MDT opened the westbound lane under restrictions while closures and a traffic-control package were put in place.
"MBT was on-site. It happened about 08:30, and MDT was on-site probably about 09:30," Prunty said, describing immediate response and the temporary traffic controls now in place. He credited the contractor LHC and local traffic-control companies for rapidly implementing the traffic management measures.
Prunty said county staff have contacted Liberty Mutual (the contractor’s insurer) and that an insurer-contracted bridge engineer will prepare a report and cost estimate. The county intends to have its bridge engineer review the insurer’s report, then select a construction firm to complete repairs. "With the emergency resolution passed... we're not working with public funds. We're working with insurance funds," Prunty said, adding that he hopes to have the bridge reconstructed and reopened in summer but that timelines and final costs are uncertain.
The board heard that the county’s immediate priorities are safety, a verified engineer repair plan, and coordination with insurers and MDT; no final repair contract or cost estimate was recorded at the meeting.
Next steps: Liberty Mutual’s engineer will inspect and produce a cost estimate; county engineers will review and the county will coordinate procurement and repair scheduling.
