MDT tells Treasure County to prepare PERs as bridge design RFPs move forward

A Montana Department of Transportation representative on speakerphone told Treasure County commissioners that MDT had packaged 24 bridges into a single design RFP and expects to select firms within weeks, launching design work that could lead to replacement projects. "They actually took those bridal, and they put them out for RFP," Adam (S9) said, explaining MDT's approach and that the county should expect a design-selection period of months. Commissioners were told the timeline and selection are driven by MDT and that exact construction dates cannot be guaranteed.

Adam also outlined grant opportunities and recommended the county apply for planning grants (PERs) to be ready if larger construction funds arrive: planning grants typically cover preliminary engineering, lower the county's immediate out-of-pocket exposure, and improve competitiveness for construction grants. He described recent match changes and suggested Treasure County could expect to pay a modest planning-match amount ("somewhere in the 6 to $7,000 range," he said) while state programs might cover the bulk of future construction costs. Commissioners expressed support for submitting applications so the county has an approved PER in place if construction funding opens up.