March 21, 2011
MACLAY BRIDGE REPORT

The Target Range Homeowners Association held a  public meeting to offer facts on Maclay Bridge at the Target Range School, March 2.  The meeting was attended by two representatives from Montana Department of Transportation, Doug Moeller from the Missoula District Office and Kent Barnes from Helena.  Forty-seven participants signed in for the meeting.  Though invited, Missoula County did not attend.  Facts concerning Maclay Bridge were presented along with a brief explanation to aide understanding of technical terminology.  Doug Moeller and Kent Barnes both assisted MBA with the explanations and they answered many questions for the attendees. 

One of the questions answered by Doug Moeller was an explanation of the funding mechanism.  According to Mr. Moeller, the Federal Highway Administration, either by directive from Congress or through its own administration, puts money into off-system bridge repair and replacement funding.  FHA distributes the funds to the states. 

As the managing agency for off-system funds, MDT attempts to budget expenditures at least six years in advance.  Budgets are based on historic funding levels.  As Missoula County’s first priority, Maclay Bridge has bubbled to this level.  County Commissioners confirmed the priority status of Maclay Bridge and asked MDT to continue with this process.  That initiated a Preliminary Field Review.  We have to assume the county designated the South Avenue extension as the preferred route since the state is not taking the lead in this project.  Route is essential to the elements of the PFR.

A Preliminary Field Review answers the following questions:

  • History of the existing bridge
  • Location of a new or replacement bridge
  • Crash data for the existing bridge
  • Road alignments for the new bridge
  • It addresses the requirement for an Environmental Analysis or complete Environmental Impact Statement
  • Cost of the replacement
  • Public involvement

Apparently the state is paying for the PFR.  Within the PFR, surveying and mapping work is continuing on the site.  This is necessary in order to determine cost for the budget process.

According to Mr. Barnes, if a project drops out, or the county commissioners change priority status, the money is not lost, but would fund another project in Montana.  Further, if Missoula County designates another project as first priority for off-system replacement, they may not necessarily lose their place in line. 

Visit maclaybridge.org for more information.

Bob Schweitzer  
544-9066