Project Overview
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will replace the existing Cougar Creek Bridge on U.S. 191 and the adjacent United States Forest Service recreation bridge with longer and wider bridges that will span the creek channel.
The new highway bridge will include two 12-foot driving lanes and two 8-foot shoulders and will be less susceptible to scour. The new recreation bridge will be 22-feet wide.
This bridge replacement project is 7 miles north of the community of West Yellowstone in southwestern Montana and on the route to the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Bridge Scour Issues
Flood events on rivers and creeks can erode soil around a bridge foundation. This process is frequently referred to as bridge scour. Scour issues can lead to bridge and roadway damage and possibly closure if the damage is severe.
Reducing Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions
Just north of West Yellowstone, U.S. Highway 191 cuts across a critical corridor into and out of Yellowstone National Park—where elk, moose, deer, grizzly bears and hundreds of bison move each year. It’s also a vital route for people, connecting Montana communities with Yellowstone and destinations to the south.
MDT, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition have partnered to make US 191 safer for people and wildlife. Through this public-private partnership the project will include a dedicated wildlife underpass, fencing to guide animals safely beneath the road, and an innovative animal detection system that alerts drivers when wildlife is nearby. Together, these improvements will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, protect wildlife, and keep a critical migration corridor connected.
Project Schedule
The project has been awarded to Missouri River Contractors, LLC. Construction and is slated to being in 2027. Construction of the adjacent recreation bridge maintained by United States Forest Service (USFS) will take place first with the highway bridge and roadway work to follow.
Project Location Map
The bridge is located 7 miles north of the community of West Yellowstone on US 191 in southwestern Montana.
Stay Involved, Stay Informed
Stakeholder and public feedback are encouraged throughout all project phases to ensure MDT identifies a solution that best meets the traffic and safety needs of the surrounding communities and all those who use the bridge.
UPN 8953000