Legislative Update: Regarding the Noxon bridge

by Rep. Paul Fielder

This note is to inform citizens about the Noxon Bridge, its problems and what is going on. The Noxon bridge, like many of the older bridges in Montana, is in need of replacement. It is over 100 years old and was closed to traffic for several days this past year because of safety concerns. It was determined that it was still safe for light traffic, but that heavy loads across the bridge would speed up its deterioration.

I’ve stressed to state agencies that this bridge is a vital link (and the only realistic link) between Noxon and Highway 200 and the outside world. The unpaved roads on the south side of the river east and west from Noxon are not a realistic route for the citizens, especially during threats of wildfires.

The Noxon bridge is a county bridge and the Montana Department of Transportation is involved with the bridge inspection. The Montana DOT is working with the county to try to secure grants to help replace the bridge and the cost of a new bridge is many millions of dollars. The county would need to provide a percentage of the funding for any grants received. Repairing the bridge is not a good option because we would still have a bridge that is over 100 years old and it would cost almost as much to repair the bridge as it would to build a new one.

I’ll continue to work with the Montana DOT and county commissioners to secure the federal grant funding that can get the Noxon Bridge replaced in the next few years. It will not happen overnight, but the citizens of Noxon and western Sanders County should know that the Noxon bridge is a subject of high priority and people are working to get a new bridge as quickly as feasible.

Rep. Paul Fielder,

Thompson Falls

House District 14