Bridge changes sought: Dockstader owners ask county for amendment

The developers of the controversial bridge linking Dockstader Island to the north shore of Flathead Lake will seek an amendment to the unfinished project Monday from Flathead County commissioners.

Developers Jolene Dugan and Roger Sortino plan to add structural X-bracing underneath the 540-foot bridge, along with 32-inch safety railings along both sides, according to the amendment application. The amended plan also includes removable statues with backlighting.

The bridge design includes an “overpass” structure to allow small watercraft to pass underneath it.

Dugan and Sortino own the currently undeveloped Dockstader Island, which is connected to the mainland by a spit when Flathead Lake’s level drops, becoming an island again as the lake reaches full pool.

The developers have until June to complete the bridge under a permit extension granted last year. It was the fifth permit extension granted since the project initially was approved in March 2011.

Since it was proposed, the project has been the subject of opposition by a group of landowners in the Bigfork area, including members of the Community Association for North Shore Conservation. The organization is suing the county for permitting the bridge, contending the commissioners failed to fully consider the project’s environmental impacts.

The commissioners will consider the amendment at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Public comments will be taken from 9 to 9:15 a.m.

Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.