Lincoln County votes to pursue FEMA-funded replacement of Keeler Creek bridge after flood damage

Lincoln County commissioners on June 17 voted to move forward with repairing the temporary levy work at Keeler Creek and to pursue construction of a new, single‑span bridge that is roughly double the previous length to meet modern codes and reduce risk of future washouts.

County staff and state and federal officials presented two courses of action: repairing the pre‑disaster configuration and approaches (estimated local levy/repair cost of about $275,000) or replacing the aging 1940s structure with a longer single‑span bridge (engineers’ estimated total cost about $3,124,000). Kyle Corwin, recovery program manager with Montana Disaster Emergency Services, told the commission that because the site meets FEMA public‑assistance criteria, updating the bridge to current codes and standards would make the project largely eligible for FEMA funding and allow reimbursement on actuals as the county incurs expenses.

"FEMA has confirmed this qualifies for public assistance," Corwin said, noting programs that can be used include codes and standards work and 406 mitigation tied to the disaster declaration. He added that FEMA will pay eligible costs as the county documents expenditures and draws down funds.

County permitting staff and state reviewers warned that returning the bridge to its pre‑existing 1940s condition would likely fail required permits. Jesse (permitting staff) said the bridge does not meet the two‑foot freeboard required between the base‑flood elevation and the bottom of the structure, and that the county previously was unable to secure all permits for a simple "put‑back" approach. "We don't have that freeboard," he said, and restoring the former configuration would create permitting and reimbursement obstacles.

Commissioners approved a motion to accept the levy repair approach that is consistent with current emergency stabilization work and then to proceed with design and funding pursuit for a longer, code‑compliant single‑span bridge. The temporary bridge in place will maintain traffic while design and funding are pursued.

Next steps identified by staff include refining the scope to separate the levy repair (Army Corps involvement and an 80/20 cost‑share on the levy side) from the bridge replacement scope (public assistance and mitigation under FEMA), confirming in‑scope costs such as hydrology and flood‑plain studies, and advancing A&E (architectural and engineering) work so early design costs can be included in FEMA funding. County staff will coordinate with Montana Disaster Emergency Services and the Army Corps on funding and permitting timelines.

The commission recorded the motion and direction as the basis for the county’s next funding applications and design work; final award, scope and schedule will depend on permit approvals and federal/state funding decisions.