Montana Bridge Infrastructure: A Complete Analysis
A comprehensive look at Montana's bridge inventory, including condition grades, highest-traffic crossings, worst-rated structures, and oldest bridges.
Montana is home to 5,235 bridges spanning 56 counties, making it one of the most significant bridge inventories in the country. These bridges carry a combined 8,590,648 vehicle crossings every day. Here is a comprehensive look at the state of Montana's bridge infrastructure based on the latest National Bridge Inventory data.
5,235
Total Bridges
C
Infrastructure Grade
7.4%
Poor Condition
48 years
Average Age
Montana at a Glance
Montana earns an overall infrastructure grade of C based on the percentage of its bridges in poor condition. Currently, 388 bridges (7.4%) are rated poor, compared to the national average of 6.7%. The average bridge in Montana is 48 years old, younger than the national average of 48 years.
Of the state's 5,235 bridges, 1,682 are in good condition, 3,165 are fair, and 388 are poor. View the full breakdown on the [Montana report card](/reports/montana).
Most-Traveled Bridges in Montana
These are the bridges carrying the highest daily traffic volumes across Montana. High-traffic bridges are critical infrastructure -- their condition directly affects the commutes of tens of thousands of drivers.
| # | Bridge | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | N RESERVE ST over CLARK FORK R FLOOD PLAIN | 62.3 |
| 2 | N RESERVE ST over CLARK FORK RIVER | 62.3 |
| 3 | RESERVE ST over W BROADWAY ST-RR | 47.7 |
| 4 | I90 over MT Power RR Spur | 74.6 |
| 5 | BROOKS ST-US 12 over BITTERROOT RIVER | 64.2 |
| 6 | I 90 over CITY COUNTY DRAIN DITCH | 62.8 |
| 7 | I 90 over GRANT CREEK | 80.0 |
| 8 | KING AVE W over BBWA CANAL | 71.5 |
| 9 | N SEVENTH AVE over INT N 7TH AVE-I 90 | 64.0 |
| 10 | US 93 over STILLWATER RIVER | 65.6 |
Worst-Condition Bridges in Montana
The following bridges have the lowest sufficiency ratings in Montana. These structures are the most likely candidates for federal repair or replacement funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
| # | Bridge | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HWY 287 BYPASS over MISSOURI RIVER 019 | 16.3 |
| 2 | STRATER RD over DODSON SOUTH CANAL 116 | 16.9 |
| 3 | BIRCH RD over ROSS FORK CREEK 018 | 18.6 |
| 4 | GLOVER RD over PABLO 3A CANAL 037 | 19.0 |
| 5 | BRIDGE ST over SWAN RIVER 110 | 19.0 |
| 6 | OLD TOWN RD over JEFFERSON RIVER 063 | 19.3 |
| 7 | HWY 91 N over BIG HOLE RIVER 041 | 19.4 |
| 8 | RIVER RD over IRRIGATION DITCH 005 | 20.5 |
| 9 | ED LAVELL LN over SIXTEENMILE CREEK 039 | 20.6 |
| 10 | THIRD AVENUE S over LITTLE CASINO CREEK 138 | 21.6 |
Oldest Bridges in Montana
Montana's oldest bridges tell the story of the state's transportation history. Some of these structures have been in continuous service for over a century.
| # | Bridge | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S HOWIE ST over REEDERS ALLEY 001 | 24.7 |
| 2 | OLD TOWN RD over JEFFERSON RIVER 063 | 19.3 |
| 3 | AUGUSTA RD over DEARBORN RIVER 011 | 36.2 |
| 4 | OLD TOWN RD over JEFFERSON RIVER 004 | 32.0 |
| 5 | WILLIAMS BR RD over JEFFERSON RIVER 046 | 28.6 |
| 6 | NO DATA ENTERED over ST REGIS RIVER | 65.9 |
| 7 | VERMILION RIV RD over LYONS CREEK 032 | 72.4 |
| 8 | N LOCATE RD over LOCATE CREEK 045 | 48.0 |
| 9 | BIRDTAIL RD over FLAT CREEK 036 | 39.6 |
| 10 | SUNDANCE BENCH RD over MADISON RIVER 046 | 41.5 |
What These Numbers Mean for Montana
Montana's bridge infrastructure grade of C reflects both the current condition of the state's bridges and the scale of the challenge ahead. With an average bridge age of 48 years, many of these structures are approaching or past the 50-75 year design life typical of most bridges. The state's ability to maintain and replace aging bridges will determine whether conditions improve or deteriorate in the coming decade.
For county-by-county breakdowns, historical trends, and individual bridge profiles, visit the [Montana state page](/bridges/montana) or the [Montana report card](/reports/montana). You can also explore how Montana compares to other states in our [state rankings](/blog/best-bridge-infrastructure-by-state-2025).
Data source: All data comes from the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). BridgeStats is not affiliated with the U.S. government. Data is provided for informational purposes only.
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