Bigfork has its bridge back, and community leaders say it’s the perfect representation of changes the village is embracing while not letting go of its small-town charm.  

“When the bridge was closed, it felt like part of us was missing. It was as though we were mourning a member of the community. How wonderful it is to have it back,” said Megan Shoultz, board president of the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork.  

More than a hundred people crowded around the entrance to the new Bridge Street Bridge near Sliter’s Park on Wednesday, where community leaders were joined by Flathead County commissioners, Montana Department of Transportation officials and Gov. Greg Gianforte to celebrate the project’s completion.

The historic one-lane bridge was closed in January 2024 after it was deemed unsafe for pedestrian and vehicle travel. Construction on a replacement bridge — designed with steel trusses and similar aesthetics to the original span — began in December 2024, with crews wrapping up last week. 

Shoultz said the community showed patience and resilience when the bridge was closed. But with it back open, it’s a good time to reflect on what it means to retain the town’s iconic landmarks as it weathers new growth. 

“It’s been clear in the last five or six years, our town has changed. But at its core, it’s still the same place. It’s still as special as when you grew up here or when you moved here. This bridge represents us and how we can adapt and improve while still sticking true to our roots,” Shoultz said. 

Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rebekah King said the bridge honors the past while welcoming the future.  

“We’re here today because of determination and perseverance. From the earliest conversations with the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork, to public comments, to the final bridge inspection,” King said. “We are very, very grateful for the incredible collaboration and at times, creativity, of so many.”  

The bridge was completed a year-and-a-half ahead of schedule and came in under budget, according to Department of Transportation Director Chris Dorrington.  

Battle Ridge Builders of Belgrade was awarded the $2.6 million contract for the project. Funding was split, with 86.6% federal, 13.4% state and a $50,000 county contribution. The bridge is Flathead County-owned, with the state overseeing reconstruction efforts.    

Dorrington told the crowd at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting that so many conversations he is part of begin with “we can’t,” but projects like the bridge prove it’s possible to accomplish difficult goals.  

“We accelerated this structure. And it’s not just because of the MDT — our team is absolutely incredible, but also the partners here in the community, the partners in our construction company, Battle Ridge Builders and many others,” Dorrington said.  

He said Lenci Kappes with the state transportation department identified the project as “a real need” and moved the agency into a mindset of accelerated project delivery. He said this process involved anticipating issues with pre-inspections and buying parts of the bridge far in advance. 

“Also, I want to mention we had no safety incidents whatsoever, which is a huge deal. I mean, when you work fast, you want to work safely,” Dorrington said.  

Battle Ridge Builders worked through the winter to complete the project. Dorrington said that utilities were a challenge, but they were able to move them and keep the project on schedule thanks to the quickness of personnel at NorthWestern Energy. 

Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist told the crowd she remembers planning sessions for the project — conversations that started nearly a decade ago.  

Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork, including then board president Paul Mutascio, as well as Flathead County Public Works Director Dave Prunty, began engaging the county and state in conversations about the bridge in 2015. Mutascio said they knew the bridge would be coming down in the near future due to its deterioration, but its historic charm was beloved by all in the community.  

“I said ‘No, that bridge is kind of important to Bigfork’ ... We went to the CFBB board and  started talking about what we could do to influence the design decisions,” Mutascio said.  

Soon, the group was able to register the bridge as a historic landmark. He believes this move helped ensure the new bridge honored its original design. 

Geoff and Lynn Landon were the first to ride across the new bridge after winning an auction held by the Chamber and the foundation. They were followed by Bigfork’s centenarian, “Uncle” Bud Robinson, riding in a 1925 car, followed by a lantern parade led by the Bigfork Library.

Taylor Inman may be reached at 758-4440 or [email protected].