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MDT plans 2027 removal of Toston bridge; Broadwater County seeks clarity on engineering costs and floodplain permits
Summary
Commissioners discussed Montana Department of Transportation plans to remove the older Toston bridge (MDT project planned for 2027), raised concerns about structural damage and safety, and asked whether the state or county pays engineering and floodplain-permit costs.
Broadwater County commissioners discussed Montana Department of Transportation's plan to remove the older bridge west of Toston as part of a longer-term MDT project scheduled for 2027 and raised questions about who will pay for associated engineering work and floodplain permitting.
The chair said the structure has severe damage and that removal is likely unavoidable despite earlier preservation discussions. "I don't believe it's the county's responsibility to pay for this," the chair said, noting the county's floodplain permit fee (discussed in the meeting as $250, later noted as $400) would not cover expected engineering costs for the state project. Commissioners said they had scheduled an initial Teams meeting with MDT staff and Great West to clarify responsibilities and the engineering timeline.
Attendees and commissioners also discussed public-safety concerns if the old span were to come loose and strike the new highway bridge, and they reviewed potential evacuation and access impacts at Toston and nearby approaches. County staff said they would seek more information from MDT and return the item to the agenda after their planned coordination meeting.
