Red Bridge gets funding boost

A Columbia Falls nonprofit is closer to restoring a local landmark after receiving a $500,000 commitment from the Flathead County Board of Commissioners.

All three members voted to allocate the funds over two years for improvements to the Red Bridge, a historic span over the Flathead River that was first closed to vehicle traffic, then closed to pedestrian traffic in 1992.

The First Best Place Task Force plans to begin the restoration project in 2011 at a cost of about $950,000.

Last week, the commission granted $250,000 in current county funds and $250,000 from the Montana Department of Transportation’s Community Transportation Enhancement Program.

First Best Place Director Barry Conger said the county’s “support of this project is pivotal.”

“The Columbia Falls community has made it clear that restoring the historic Red Bridge is important and now so have our county leaders,” he said.

Design and engineering is under way, funded by about $25,000 in private donations. The city of Columbia Falls has committed to spending up to $50,000 for improvements on its side of the bridge — connecting the Talbot Road bicycle path with the bridge and developing a parking area.

Along with the county’s recent allocation, the group has commitments of $50,000 in donations, according to a release detailing the project. It plans to reach its funding goal through a combination of grants and fundraising.

County Commissioner Jim Dupont said it was important that the recently allocated state funds be spread evenly across the county. The board had originally approved $300,000 apiece for projects in Lakeside and Bigfork after initially not including the bridge restoration.

“There were some folks there from the Red Bridge pretty upset that they weren’t considered,” said Dupont.

The task force received about 1,000 signatures and 40 letters of support from businesses and residents in the 30 days prior to the commissioners’ vote.

Dupont credited the non-profit for its energetic and persistent work in lobbying for funding and pushing its project forward. Though the project is currently costing the county, he said it’s possible that it could one day create revenue.

The goal is to create Historic Red Bridge Park. The first order of business will be to replace the center pier and stabilize the steel span.

Proponents envision the eventual creation of a private-sector development that could include everything from a bed and breakfast and restaurant to concessions for park users and a boat-launch.

Columbia Falls founder James Talbott’s original late-1800s bridge eventually was sold to the county for $5,000 and a new steel bridge was built in 1912. It remained open to vehicle traffic until 1989 when its deteriorating condition prompted officials to close it.