Bridge work continues

THOMPSON FALLS – Travelers utilizing Highway 200 east of Thompson Falls may have noticed the large construction vehicles near the current bridge over the Thompson River.

Just north of the current bridge, the new bridge over the Thompson River is beginning to take shape as construction crews continue the work, which was started at the end of last year.

Representatives of the company conducting the project, Sletten Construction, were on hand to talk with members of the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce at the chamber’s monthly meeting at the Rimrock Lodge, just west of downtown Thompson Falls.

Don Charters and Todd Fried discussed the project’s ongoing efforts with chamber members throughout the meeting last Friday afternoon.

Charters introduced himself and his colleague Fried, and discussed the current work going on at the bridge, in addition to giving the chamber some background information on their company.

Charters stated Sletten Construction is an employee owned company with 60 years of experience building bridges.

The company, which was founded in 1928, also has experience with various construction projects across Montana, in addition to work in other western states including Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming.

The company’s corporate office is based in Great Falls.

Charters made it clear the project is well underway.

“We are going full bore right now,” Charters said.

In addition to Sletten Construction, Charters noted there are several contractors assisting with the project.

According to Charters, RTI Fabrication Inc. of Plains, is a part of the project to replace the current bridge on Highway 200 over the Thompson River.

Charters stated Thompson River Redi Mix of Thompson Falls is supplying the concrete for the project.

Charters went over the project’s timetable and overall costs.

“The total cost of the project was $6, 298, 000,” Charters said.

He added the new bridge will be a three span bridge that is 434 feet long and 40 feet wide.

Fried explained the new bridge will offer wider lanes for vehicles on Highway 200.

According to Fried, the lanes on the existing bridge are just over ten feet in width.

“Each driving lane is about 11 feet wide right now,” Fried said.

The wider lanes offered by the bridge currenlty under construction will help improve safety for motorists.  

Charters stated he was hoping to have the new bridge project wrapped up by October.

“We hope to have traffic on it by the end of September,” Charters said.

Charters added once the new bridge is complete Sletten Construction will begin work on tearing the old bridge down throughout the winter.

However, a portion of the bridge including the center span will not be removed until the end of  July of 2016 due to wildlife considerations.