Shady Lane Bridge repair starts Oct. 7

Shady Lane in Evergreen will close at 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, so workers can replace a 30-year-old failing bridge.

The road closure will be in effect for 15 days so crews can remove and replace the T-shaped concrete spans that make up the beams and deck of the bridge, which spans a creek just south of Montana 35.

Local access will be available for any home or business in the area. That access will be from Montana 35 for homes and businesses north of the bridge and from Fairmont and Holt Stage roads for homes and businesses south of the bridge.

Montana Department of Transportation awarded the $522,000 contract to Mark Buck Construction in Missoula.

Shady Lane Bridge was targeted for fast-track replacement in March when a four-foot-long hole opened in the southbound lane of the bridge’s deck. Drivers reported the hole and it was promptly covered with a steel plate pinned in place.

The bridge carries about 5,300 vehicles per day, according to Montana Department of Transportation traffic estimates.

“It’s a heavily traveled road, so we’re going to keep some people upset, I’m sure, but it comes with the territory,” said Steven Reifenrath, owner of Glacier Traffic Products & Services, a Kalispell company that will handle traffic control for the project.

“Everybody in the area I talk to says the bridge needs replacing, so everybody is positive about that.”

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.