Livingston bridge work starts week of April 13 with detours

LIVINGSTON, Mont. — Rehabilitation work on four Livingston-area bridges is set to begin the week of April 13, Montana Department of Transportation said in a release.

The work includes three bridges on U.S. Highway 89 and Carter’s Bridge on East River Road south of Livingston. Repairs such as concrete overlays, deck fixes, crack sealing, rail work, structural repairs and erosion control are planned.

The bridge carrying U.S. 89 over Interstate 90 at Exit 340 is expected to close when construction begins with a detour in place through the project.

Eastbound I-90 drivers needing U.S. 89 north will need to take Exit 343, turn around, head westbound and then use Exit 340. Southbound U.S. 89 traffic trying to reach eastbound I-90 was told to first enter westbound I-90 and use Exit 337 to turn around.

Chad Mozel, MDT Engineering Project Manager, said the closure was the quickest option.

“MDT and L&J assessed the situation and determined that a bridge closure is required to get this work done in a timely manner. If we didn’t close the bridge, work would take a lot longer to complete,” said Mozel.

Mozel also explained the goal was to reduce the effect on drivers as much as possible. He said the closure and detour were considered the least inconvenient choice.

Drivers in the Livingston area could also expect lower speed limits, temporary signals or flaggers, short-term lane closures and a 10-foot width limit on the bridges.