New bridge connects college, tribal complex

The Daily Inter Lake

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will construct a biker-access footbridge that spans U.S. 93 between Salish Kootenai College and the Tribal Complex.

The $3.22 million project will be completed by the end of 2010. The span alone is nearly 200 feet.

"This is awesome. It's not only big in dollars, but everyone who drives 93 for the next 50 years will see this structure," said Mike Brown, Safety of Dams Coordinator/Roads Program Manager for the tribe.

Currently, highway traffic slows to 45 miles per hour, but this project addresses improved pedestrian safety and convenience.

The project is a Community Transportation Enhancement Project funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enhancement funds.

The project is formally known as the Pablo Bike/Ped Overcrossing. The funds will be allocated by the Montana Department of Transportation.

Brown expects work will begin as soon as January.

The funding pays for the entire project cost including design, right-of-way expenses and relocation of utilities if needed. There will be a span across the highway, landings on both ends of the abutment and ramps for bikes.

Managers are working now to develop a design that captures a tribal architectural theme, Brown said.