Shields River bridge limited to 10‑ton loads after new crack; county weighs costly repair options

Montana Department of Transportation notified Park County this week that an old Shields River bridge developed an additional crack, and the county has reduced the structure to a 10‑ton load limit while officials evaluate repairs, county public-works staff said June 23.

Matt Livingston, representing Park County public works, told commissioners MDT’s inspection identified the crack and the agency reduced the posted limit to 10 tons. "It's only an issue if you're hauling hay or concrete," a commissioner noted; Livingston explained the bridge has multiple entrances and exits so detours exist, but heavier loads would need alternate routes.

Livingston outlined two main repair options: use a crane to remove the span and weld the crack, or build temporary blocking under the bridge to take weight off the damaged section while repairs are performed. He said both options are "exorbitantly expensive" and that repairs may not be a long-term fix because the bridge’s age makes future cracking likely. The county will continue discussions with MDT and evaluate contractor proposals.

Public works also reported on roadwork and materials: crews are grading and applying magnesium chloride on several roads; hauling millings for Pine Creek will start after mag-chloride operations are complete; and the county has received contractor bids for riprap repairs on Main Boulder Road to prevent washouts.

Separately, Livingston told the commission illegal dumping spiked after fires at a neighboring transfer station; two sites saw waste volumes drop 50% when staff were posted there, and he recommended posting two part-time seasonal employees (Fridays and Saturdays, 16 hours each) at key sites to deter dumping. He estimated each avoided load to Logan Landfill saves roughly $300–$600 in tipping and transport costs and said hiring costs could be offset by those savings; commissioners approved posting and hiring.

What happens next: staff will evaluate repair proposals and the county will continue coordination with MDT on bridge safety and load restrictions. Seasonal solid-waste hires will be posted and monitored for effectiveness; the county said it can scale back if the strategy does not reduce dumping.