Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) says the Blackfoot River, from Weigh Station Fishing Access Site downstream to the confluence with the Clark Fork River, will be closed from April 15 through mid-May for safety as construction on the Interstate 90 bridge piers near Bonner continues.
FWP says that while demolition of one of the old piers is underway over the next month, construction crews cannot have anyone on or near the river due to safety concerns. The river will be closed to all usage, such as floating, swimming, wading and fishing.
In 2018, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission passed a biennial rule allowing FWP to close this short stretch of the Blackfoot as needed during the construction period for the bridge piers.
FWP anticipates that this first closure of the season will end in mid-May. FWP will reopen the river as soon as the project allows and expects that there will be several other closures over the summer as construction continues.
For the current status, visit the Montana Department of Transportation website: www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/bonner/status.shtml. River users can also text BONNER to 41411 for current river closure information during active construction. River access sites immediately upstream of the closure area will be signed when the closure is in place.
(via MT FWP)
