State looks at repairs for Havre viaduct, bridge

The Montana Department of Transportation is planning work on the main route over the Milk River to North Havre and points beyond, and is looking for comments from the public about the project.

The proposal, with work tentatively scheduled to start in 2015, would put an overlay over the 7th Avenue viaduct that runs over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tracks and includes work on the south approach to the Milk River bridge on 7th Avenue and work sealing the deck on that bridge.

The nearest crossings over the Milk River other than the 7th Avenue bridge are about 12 miles to the east and west, at Fresno Dam and Lohman.

Crossings over the railroad track are available about a mile east and west of the viaduct.

MDT Preconstruction Engineer Steve Prinzing said the plans at this point are to keep one lane of traffic open during the project.

“Due to the narrow width of the structures, this will be challenging, so we will need to work out some details,” he added.

Prinzing said how long it will take to complete the project is not yet estimated.

The press release announcing the project said the work is intended to extend the service life of the structures.

The project will not require acquisition of right-of-way or relocating utilities.

For more information, people can contact Prinzing at 406-454-5880 or Project Design Engineer Stephanie Brandenberger at 406-4447675. For the hearing impaired, the TTY number is 406-444-7696 or 1-800-335-7592, or people can call the Montana Relay at 711.

People may submit written comments about the proposed project to the Montana Department of Transportation Great Falls office at PO Box 1359, Great Falls MT 59403-1359, or online at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml.

People making comments are asked to note the project number, CN 7983000, on their comments. Alternative accessible formats of this information will be provided upon request, the release said.