South Creek bridge to stay open

Here's a great piece of 'breaking news' from reporter Aimee Niles:

(This bridge was scheduled to close on Aug. 30 - but the residents d who use the bridge protested and the closure has been reversed )

The South Creek Valley Bridge will remain open past the scheduled Aug. 30 closure date, Paddy Trusler, chairman of the Lake County Commissioners said.

This morning, county commissioners received a letter from the Montana Department of Transportation advising repair to the bridge.

“The DOT advised that it would be cost effective to repair the bridge and attain the longevity of the bridge while we determine how we’re going to pay for a new bridge,” Trusler said.

Repairs on the bridge should occur in the next 30 days.

“We’re going to squeeze the bridge repair in between two larger projects,” Trusler said.

The repairs will definitely happen before the middle of October, Commissioner Bill Barron said.

Trusler said estimates for the repairs to the bridge are about $20,000. Estimates for a new bridge range from $500,000 to $1.2 million.

The commissioners will be seeking state grants to fund repairs on the bridge.