Prairie County bridge receives much-needed upgrade

Posted by Keystone XL

Keystone XL - TC Energy and the Keystone XL project team worked closely the Montana Department of Transportation on a much-needed update to a Prairie County timber bridge built in 1956.

TC Energy and the Keystone XL project team worked closely with the Montana Department of Transportation on a much-needed upgrade to a secondary bridge that expanded over the Plum Coulee Creek in rural Prairie County.

“As a matter of safety for our workforce and the communities in which we work, it is important to maintain the roads and bridges we utilize throughout all phases of construction and ensure we leave these infrastructures better than when we arrived,” said TC Energy Logistics Manager Derek Montgomery.

This timber bridge, built in 1956, was showing its age with deterioration and cracking in the superstructure and substructure, plus a limited posted load restriction due to its original design and timber beam condition.

This bridge replacement removes the restrictions and enhances safety along S-340. We appreciate the emphasis that TC Energy and the Keystone XL project team place on safety.”

Deanna Bockness, Todd Devlin and Dennis Teske
Prairie County Montana Commissioners

Also, the old-style tresses that were replaced were salvaged and set aside for Prairie County and a future beautification project.

We worked closely with the Montana Department of Transportation to identify direct job opportunities for local Montanans. This was a priority and provided a much-needed boost to the economic recovery during the pandemic.