Powder River Examiner -

FORSYTH, Mont .: The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Sletten Construction will continue efforts on the Southeast Montana Bridge Preservation project. This project is rehabilitating 11 bridges in southeastern Montana. These bridges impact Montana Highway 39 (MT 39), US Highways 212 (US 212) and 12 (US 12), and Interstate 94 (I 94). Construction will affect Colstrip and neighboring communities, including Forsyth, Lame Deer, Broadus, Ashland, and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.

Crews have begun work on the East Forsyth Interchange Bridge on I 94. Work will include safety enhancements, bridge deck repair, applying a crack sealing treatment, and erosion control, and last through July.

Motorists on I 94 are being rerouted to the Interstate on- and off-ramps, and temporary stop signs have been installed at Slaughterhouse Road. Expect a reduced speed limit of 25 mph.

Work continues on the Little Powder River Bridge on US 212 near Broadus, and the 14-foot width restriction remains in place; work continues on the Rosebud Creek Bridge on MT 39 near Colstrip.

The bridge deck is the flat, drivable surface of a bridge. A crack sealing treatment is when products are applied to the bridge deck to fill cracks and prevent them from collecting debris.

Mel Mader, MDT Project Manager, explained the project’s purpose: “Routine repairs are needed to enhance roadway safety features. This project implements these repairs and will extend the service life of bridges along critical routes in southeastern Montana.”

Construction on this project will occur bridge by bridge over the next two summers. Depending on weather and other factors, MDT anticipates completing all bridges by fall 2024.

The traveling public is strongly encouraged to watch for the “cone zone” and for workers on the highway. These workers spend their days working a short distance from fast-moving vehicles, and while they make every effort to work safely, they count on you to pay attention, slow down and be careful as you pass through a work zone.

“During work hours, motorists on I 94 should expect short delays, flaggers and signals controlling the movement of traffic, minor detours, and reduced speed limits,” said Sletten Construction project superintendent Mark Bochteler. “Our crews will maintain traffic flow but rely on you to keep them safe.”

Members of the public can find more information on the project webpage: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/semtbridgesor by reaching out to Ella Currier at ellac@strategies 360.com or 406-465-7198.