Yellowstone River Bridge Being Replaced & Removed
Written by Andrew-Rossi on April 16, 2020
The Yellowstone River Bridge is undergoing a 3-year replacement, beginning in 2022.
After considerable planning and public input, the Park has settled on its plan for what will be one of the most intense infrastructure projects in the park’s recent history. National Park Service Regional Director for Regions 6, 7, 8, Mike Reynolds, signed a Finding of No Significant Impact for an environmental assessment, giving the final governmental go-ahead to proceed.
Out of three possible alternatives, the Park has chosen Plan B – a replacement bridge will be constructed on a new alignment about 500 feet south of the existing bridge. Approximately one mile of new road will be constructed to line up with the replacement bridge. Adjacent parking, pullouts, and the Yellowstone River Picnic Area will also be redesigned and reconstructed to accommodate increased visitor use. Vehicle traffic will continue on the existing bridge, which means minimal traffic delays – until the Fishing Bridge construction. Once the new bridge is finished, the old bridge and existing road will be removed.
The timeline for the project, start to finish, is 3 years. But this is largely dependent on how the project is funded and when that funding becomes available.
