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Replace the Upper McDonald Creek Bridge and Formalize Parking at Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead
Glacier National Park » Replace the Upper McDonald Creek Bridge and Formalize Parking at Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead » Document List
Glacier National Park is proposing to replace the Upper McDonald Creek Bridge across McDonald Creek, above the head of Lake McDonald, with a single lane, clear-span bridge. The existing bridge is in poor structural condition and has a restricted load capacity (rated for 15 tons), which is inadequate for heavy loads, including fire engines needed for wildland fire control and structure protection, normal construction traffic, and garbage trucks. With the loss of several homes and buildings on the northwest side of Lake McDonald during the 2018 Howe Ridge Fire, a bridge that can accommodate necessary traffic and loads across McDonald Creek to access the area is essential. Therefore, replacing the bridge is needed due to progressive failure and to improve vehicle access to private land and National Park Service (NPS) structures and operations on the northwest side of the lake.
The existing bridge would continue to be available for NPS and landowner access during construction. The construction area would be closed to public access for the duration of construction. Traffic delays would be minimized as much as possible, with 30 to 60-minute closures expected. Full closures, possibly for 2-3 days at a time, would be necessary at times for safety (such as during crane operations).
Parking for the Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead west of the bridge would also be formalized under this proposal, likely with 10 delineated head-in parking spaces.
The existing bridge would continue to be available for NPS and landowner access during construction. The construction area would be closed to public access for the duration of construction. Traffic delays would be minimized as much as possible, with 30 to 60-minute closures expected. Full closures, possibly for 2-3 days at a time, would be necessary at times for safety (such as during crane operations).
Parking for the Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead west of the bridge would also be formalized under this proposal, likely with 10 delineated head-in parking spaces.