BIGFORK, Mont. — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will break ground this August on the long-anticipated replacement of Sportsman’s Bridge, an essential Flathead Valley crossing that has served the area for decades but can no longer keep up with growing traffic demands.

Spanning the Flathead River near the north end of Flathead Lake, the existing bridge links the communities of Somers and Bigfork, acting as a key connector for daily commuters, local businesses, delivery trucks, tourists, and outdoor enthusiasts accessing the lake’s popular recreation sites.

The new bridge design reflects years of planning, community input, and engineering reviews to address safety concerns, capacity limitations, and aging structural conditions of the original bridge.

Once completed, the updated bridge will provide two 12-foot travel lanes — significantly wider than the current lanes — plus two 10-foot shoulders. These wider shoulders will make it safer for drivers to pull over if needed, while giving more room to bicyclists and pedestrians who often use the corridor for scenic rides and walks near the water.

Crews plan to build the new structure parallel to the existing bridge, which means drivers will be able to continue using the current crossing during most of the construction period. This approach aims to minimize traffic disruptions, avoid lengthy detours, and maintain steady access for residents, school buses, and emergency services that rely on the bridge daily.

Once the new bridge is fully operational, the old bridge will be removed and the project area will be restored with additional landscaping and riverbank stabilization to protect the surrounding natural habitat.

The total construction timeline is expected to run through 2027, although some phases — such as shoulder paving, final surfacing, and landscaping — may be weather-dependent and continue into seasonal construction windows.

To keep the community informed, MDT is inviting local residents, property owners, and business owners to a public open house at Bigfork High School on August 5, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Project engineers, traffic planners, and MDT representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the new bridge design, construction schedules, anticipated lane shifts, safety measures, and any temporary impacts to nearby homes or businesses.

The Sportsman’s Bridge replacement is part of a broader push by MDT and local leaders to modernize aging infrastructure throughout Flathead County, which has experienced consistent growth in recent years as more people relocate to Northwest Montana for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and small-town charm.

For many longtime residents, the project is a welcome — if overdue — investment in keeping rural communities connected safely and efficiently.

When finished, the new Sportsman’s Bridge will stand as a durable, modern crossing designed to handle today’s traffic volumes while providing a safer experience for drivers, cyclists, and emergency responders for decades to come.

Local leaders and MDT officials are encouraging anyone with questions or concerns to attend the open house, sign up for construction updates, and stay engaged as the project progresses.

Originally reported by Sadie Rison in NBC Montana.