MISSOULA — Crews are continuing to move along quickly with work on the new Russell Street Bridge.
Workers have finished pouring the concrete for the western span of the bridge and the Montana Department of Transportation anticipates the full span will be ready for traffic in about one month. The bridge deck needs to cure and work is continuing on staircases, pedestrian railings, median curbs, sidewalks, and landscaping, according to a news release.
Although the Russell and Broadway intersection is in its final configuration, drivers are reminded to drive with caution and to be alert for changing travel configurations as the time of the western span of the bridge opening gets closer.
State engineers previously told MTN News the weather is making a big difference with completion of Missoula's largest construction project, and that the full Russell Street Bridge should be open for traffic this spring. The two-year, $29 million construction project will provide a completely new bridge over the Clark Fork River.
More information, including detour maps, is available on the project webpage. Texting updates are also available. To register text “RUSSELL” to 41411.
The City of Missoula also recently learned that they will receive $31 million in state and federal money for the second phase of the Russell Street project. The money will pay for the reconstruction from Dakota south to Mount, as well as the remaining improvements for the Russell and Broadway intersection north of the soon-to-be-finished new bridge.
