Swiftcurrent Bridge in Many Glacier to be Replaced

An environmental analysis and review process for a proposal to replace the Swiftcurrent Bridge in Glacier National Park’s Many Glacier Valley has been completed, and a decision was signed by the National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director to move forward on the project.

An analysis of the environmental impacts associated with the project and review of public comments on the proposal were considered before a final decision was determined. The environmental assessment was released in February 2014. Five comment letters were received on the proposal, all supportive of the project. Concerns voiced regarding impacts to concession operations were addressed and contributed to the final decision.

Bridge replacement work will begin in late September, after the Many Glacier Hotel and other concession operations close for the season, and will proceed through the first week of December. The project may be scheduled to occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The access road to the Many Glacier developed area and Many Glacier Hotel will be closed to traffic during the September-December work period. Masonry construction, roadway preparation, and paving required to complete the project will occur in late summer to early fall of 2015. This final stage of construction work will be limited to day-time hours, and access to the Many Glacier developed area including the hotel will remain open.

The Swiftcurrent Bridge, located at the foot of Swiftcurrent Lake, provides vehicle and pedestrian access to the Many Glacier Hotel Historic District and the Many Glacier Hotel, a National Historic Landmark. The bridge is losing its structural integrity; the deck is severely damaged, the abutments and piers are in disrepair, and the bridge has limited capacity to handle high water due to the four interior piers. Other concerns include deteriorated concrete curb and sidewalks, loose or missing stone masonry, and the non-code compliant suspension of utility lines on the bridge. If the bridge is not replaced, visitor access to the hotel and associated Many Glacier developed area will become severely limited and may eventually be prohibited.

The existing 75-foot, 5-span Swiftcurrent Bridge will be replaced with an 85-foot, single span bridge on the existing alignment. The interior piers and existing abutments will be removed, and new abutments will be constructed at the outer edges of the stream channel. Utilities will be reorganized and contained within the new bridge to reduce safety hazards, improve aesthetics, and comply with applicable codes. The replacement bridge will be designed to be compatible with the historic and architectural characteristics of the historic district. The new bridge will replicate two 9-foot lanes, a 3-foot wide sidewalk, and a 5-foot wide bridle path. The existing railings will be replaced with new railings of similar design to the historic, but with modifications to height and spacing.

The environmental analysis and the finding of no significant impact (decision document) can be found here.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Glacier Proposes to Replace Swiftcurrent Bridge

Public comments are encouraged on a recently completed environmental assessment proposing to replace the historic Swiftcurrent Bridge near the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. Public comments are due by March 17. The assessment, The Swiftcurrent Bridge Replacement Environmental Assessment and Statement of Findings, is available here.

Two alternatives were analyzed in the environmental assessment:

1) Alternative A-No Action, and

2) Alternative B-Replace the Swiftcurrent Bridge. Through the analysis and previous public comments, the preferred alternative is to replace the bridge. The bridge would be replaced with a longer, single-span bridge.

The existing bridge is losing its structural integrity. The deck is severely damaged, and the abutments and piers are in disrepair. The bridge has limited capacity to handle high water due to the four interior piers. Other concerns include the severely deteriorated concrete curb and sidewalks, loose or missing stone masonry, and the non-code compliant suspension of utility lines on the bridge.

The Swiftcurrent Bridge provides the only vehicular and pedestrian access to the Many Glacier Hotel Historic District and the Many Glacier Hotel, a National Historic Landmark. If the bridge is not replaced, visitor access to the hotel and associated Many Glacier developed area would become severely limited and may eventually be prohibited. The Swiftcurrent Bridge is a contributing feature to the Many Glacier Hotel Historic District and has been determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Demolition of the bridge would result in an adverse effect to historic properties. The replacement bridge would be designed to be compatible with the historic and architectural characteristics of the historic district.

Fortunately work on the new bridge would not begin until late September, after the Many Glacier Hotel operating season has ended. Moreover, it appears that there would be no major interruptions in the concessionaires operations the following year as well. 

The environmental assessment, as well as additional information is available here. Public comments can be made directly through this website, or written comments may be mailed to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Swiftcurrent Bridge EA, PO Box 128, West Glacier, Montana 59936.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park