PART OF THE PAST

Removal of the historic Heron bridge began Monday afternoon. The plan is to remove the bridge in sections, with the middle being the first to go. After hours of preparation in securing the bridge, welders were suspended in four corners to free the 120-foot long, 48,000-pound mid-section. The lower four corners were separated first, then welders climbed to the upper corners to free the section entirely. Dick Anderson Construction is handling the bridge removal with Montana Department of Transportation's (MDOT) oversight, as the bridge is a state roadway. According to MDOT personnel, Pacific Recycling and Steel will manage excess bridge material removal. A few locals shared their ideas, stating that they would like to see some scrap metal used to build a new "Welcome to Heron" sign.