Northside Pedestrian Bridge Project

Northside Pedestrian Bridge remains closed; repairs starting soon

September 2023 Update: The City Council awarded the construction contract for the Northside Pedestrian Bridge rehabilitation project to Jackson Contractor Group (JCG) on July 10, 2023. Since the contract award, JCG has been actively preparing for the start of construction:

• Secured the necessary city building permits.
• Entered negotiations with adjacent property owners to access their properties as needed during construction. 
• Ordered the required construction materials.
• Hired subcontractors.
• Developed detailed project timelines. 

 The contract requires JCG to complete all aspects of the bridge rehabilitation work by July 1, 2024. Some key updates on the project status:

•  The bridge's drainage system has been redesigned to channel water more efficiently and reduce the chance of damage to the bridge. 
• JCG plans to mobilize equipment and crews on site in early September 2023.
• JCG is still waiting for railroad approvals to begin work in the active rail yard nearby. Once approvals are received, construction will start on the north tower.
• Trees near the north tower will be removed for construction access and staging. They will be replaced, and the entire construction zone will be restored after project completion.

Factors outside the City and JCG's control could impact construction, especially supply chain issues and winter weather.

For more information, please contact Parks and Recreation project manager David Selvage via email or phone at 406-552-6252.

The repair and safe bridge reopening is a top priority for Mayor Hess, the Missoula City Council, and City staff in Parks, Transportation, and Administration. Project managers hope to reopen the bridge in 2024.

The City closed the Northside Pedestrian Bridge in September 2022 for safety considerations when significant fractures were discovered in the bridge decking and supports. The City has hired engineers to analyze the extent of the damage and design solutions to repair the failing structures. The bridge will remain closed until repairs are completed. 

• The bridge deck was scheduled for repair in 2021 when engineers found additional damage in the masonry bridge supports.
• Engineers regularly monitored the structure throughout its lifespan and recommended the closure to protect public safety until repairs could be completed.
• Engineers have analyzed the damage and designed solutions to repair the bridge.

Stay Informed

Subscribe to the Northside-Westside Neighborhood Council Notify Me list for periodic updates about the bridge project.

Alternate Routes

The Northside Pedestrian Bridge was a go-to for sustainable commuters, an indispensable connection between the Northside and the rest of town. Knowing your options is important now that it is closed until structural repairs are made. 

1. Scott Street Bridge: The Scott Street Bridge has bike lanes on both sides and a sidewalk on the west side. This sidewalk can be accessed on the north without having to cross Scott St itself: follow Stoddard St to the end, go under the bridge, and use the ramp to access the sidewalk. Whether walking, biking, or rolling, the bridge’s incline is fairly steep and may require some exertion to get up and some caution going down. The sidewalk has a handrail on one side and a tall fence on the other, narrowing the available space for people walking. People on bikes are encouraged to walk if using the sidewalk instead of the bike lanes.  
2. Orange Street Underpass: Sidewalks run along both sides of the Orange St underpass, accessible by ramps from N 2nd St and Alder St, or by stairs from the east and west sides of N 1st St and the east side of Railroad St. Remember your lights when biking through the underpass, and be sure to walk your bicycle if using the narrow sidewalks. 
3. North 2nd Street East: Perhaps the most comfortable of these routes for people riding bikes, N 2nd St has designated bike lanes from A St to Greenough and low traffic volumes. This route does cross the tracks at grade, so give yourself a little extra time in case a train interrupts your trip. There are no sidewalks along this street, though many people use the shoulders of the roadway for walking. 
4. Mountain Line: The Route 3 bus has recently seen some significant changes. It has switched directions, from clockwise to counter. It now runs north on Orange St, west on N 5th, north on Worden, west on Turner, north on Dickens, west on Rodgers, south on Scott, and east on Spruce back to the transfer center. This bus runs every hour, from 5:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. on weekends.  Download the app for the best transit experience.