Eleven bridges in the Lewistown area will be replaced as part of the Sentinel Missile Project based on a formalized agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation and Department of Defense, the Governor’s Office announced this week.
Sentinel is the weapons system slated to replace the aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system. The Malmstrom Air Force Base work includes construction on- and off- the Great Falls base such as renovating launch facilities and establishing new utility corridors.
“Montana plays a key role in the national security of the United States,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a statement. “(Tuesday’s) announcement will allow the MDT to move forward replacing 11 aging bridges that serve the Lewistown community and will support the Sentinel Missile program. I’m grateful to MDT and Director (Chris) Dorrington for prioritizing this important project.”
The project includes replacing 11 aging and deteriorated brides on or near MT 81 in the Lewistown area, including eight identified by Malmstrom as needing replacement, according to the news release from the Governor’s Office.
It said the three remaining bridges were nominated by MDT to be replaced.
MORE: What does the Sentinel Missile Project mean for central Montana?
The project will be expedited and receive $7 million in funding from the Department of Defense, according to the news release. The Governor’s Office did not respond to questions about the total cost for bridge replacement or project timeline.
The project’s cost has been ballooning and recently hit $160 billion, Reuters reported last month. In January, the Electric reported timelines are shifting partly due to federal reviews of cost overruns, and field work wasn’t expected to start until 2030 at the earliest.
Malmstrom could not be reached late Wednesday for additional information.
According to the project website, Sentinel “represents the modernization of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, extending its capabilities through 2075.”
However, MDT’s Dorrington said the project also will help the problem of aging bridges in Montana.
“Montana, like the rest of the nation, is facing an onslaught of bridges reaching end-of-service life, and we simply don’t have the resources to replace them all at once,” Dorrington said in a statement from the Governor’s Office. “We are working every angle to improve this, including partnerships, alternative project delivery, ensuring efficient environmental approvals, and bundling multiple bridge replacements per contract.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with DOD on this project as Lewistown community prepares for the Sentinel Missile program.”
This story was initially published by The Daily Montanan, a nonprofit news organization and part of the States Newsroom network. Read more at www.dailymontanan.com .
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Bridges in Lewistown area to be replaced as part of Sentinel Missile project
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