Historic moment for town of Heron

Not many people get a $16.1 million birthday present. But Harry Behmerwohld turned 88 years old on Thursday, and Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Director Mike Tooley wished Behmerwohld a happy birthday with a big present, dedicating the recently-completed Heron bridge.

Behmerwohld was 22 at the dedication ceremony of the first Heron bridge in 1952. Back then he was newly married, and Behmerwohld said having a bridge connecting Heron to the rest of the world meant a lot to the community. "We didn't have much," he said Thursday at the bridge dedication. He said before there was a bridge, residents had to drive back roads to Noxon or Clark Fork, Idaho, to leave Heron.

On Thursday, Sanders County Commissioner Tony Cox told a crowd of about 100 people that the new two-lane bridge was long overdue. He said the original bridge came from Metaline Falls, Washington, which got rid of the bridge because it was inadequate for two-way traffic. Sanders County acquired it, but it still provided limited activity to Heron.

Cox said that the project had some barriers and took longer than expected, "but it was worth it."

"You needed this bridge," Tooley said. "Thanks to you, the community, for the patience you've had over decades." Tooley said that it took "a village of governments to get this bridge done," noting the involvement of the county, the Federal Highway Administration and MDT.

Tommy Groff, who also was at the first bridge dedication in 1952, said he remembered someone asking one of the bridge engineers if it was stable enough for a logging truck. The engineer replied the bridge could withstand logging trucks end-to-end. On Thursday, Jeff Ingram with Dick Anderson Construction said the new bridge, designed by Morrison-Maierle, could be packed with logging trucks and withstand the load.

"It can handle anything," Ingram said, noting that the bridge was built to specifications matching any other bridge on any other federal or state bridge. Once construction of the new bridge was complete, Dick Anderson Construction had two large cranes on it assisting in removal of the old bridge.

Behmerwohld has lived on the south side of the Heron bridge for more than 50 years. He called himself the overseer of the new bridge project. He said that when the new bridge was complete and Dick Anderson staff was working on removing the lower bridge, he would walk out on the new, higher bridge and literally watch over the crew.

All that's left of the project now is striping and installing a bench at a turnout with a sign detailing the bridge's history. Heron residents Geri Lee and Debbie Lyman were instrumental in getting the sign installed, Cox said, traveling to Spokane to research the old bridge's history and gathering old photos of the area from long-time residents Mona Vanek, Alice Detwiler and Nan Compton. Though Compton passed away, two of her children were at the dedication on Thursday.

Lee and Lyman researched the old bridge history at the Museum of Arts and Culture and the library in Spokane, spending about two years gathering information and newspaper clippings. They chose the information that went on the sign posted next to the bridge, with information about Glacial Lake Missoula, the area's Native American history, and the ways to get across the river before there was a bridge. There was a walking bridge, and a barge. In the early days, Heron was more self-sufficient and didn't need a bridge. A train depot made it easily accessible by rail. And though microbreweries are popping up all over Montana right now, Heron was home to a brewery long before there was a bridge connecting the town to the rest of the area.

Lyman noted how important a new bridge was for emergency services in the area, and that it will benefit local businesses. Lyman and Lee noted how much effort Cox put into getting a new bridge for the town.

"Tony was tenacious and creative," Lyman said. "He deserves a lot of credit." Though he was not at the dedication ceremony, Sen. Steve Daines sent a representative from his office to read a letter. In it, Daines said Cox "has been a tireless advocate for the Heron bridge project for years."