Zinke says Noxon bridge replacement a top priority

Congressman Ryan Zinke visited the Noxon bridge last week after requesting $10 million in the federal appropriation bill to replace the historical span.

A study recommends full replacement of the 102-year-old bridge, rather than rehabilitation. According to Zinke, due to budget constraints of a small taxbase, the county is unable to fund the project alone. 

"Our smaller communities in Sanders, Mineral and Lincoln counties, are all, I would say, pretty hardship counties," Zinke said during an interview on Missoula's KGVO Radio.

"They don't have a lot of money in the coffers, but that little bridge is a lifeblood of little Noxon.”

Currently, the single-lane span that connect the town to Montana 200 is under a reduced load limit.

In a social media post, Zinke called the funding the bridge replacement "a top priority, and visiting it again today was a reminder of long overdue this project is."

Zinke has also requested $1.15 million to repave 4.5 miles of Marten Creek Road in Sanders County.