Watermain repairs temporarily close Columbia Ave. bridge

There will be limited access and occasional closures of the Columbia Avenue bridge over the Whitefish River while crews replace a watermain under the bridge.

Work began Monday and is expected to run through Aug. 26. Construction will take place on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some work may occur outside those hours as needed.

The bridge near the Duck Inn and 13th Street will close to traffic for the week of Aug. 8 during construction. Otherwise, one-lane traffic will generally be open during construction and both lanes of traffic will be open outside of construction hours.

Alternative routes are advised throughout August to help speed up the construction project, according to City Manager Chuck Stearns.

Pedestrians will not be allowed to use the bridge during construction.

The project includes a watermain replacement from Riverside Avenue to 40 feet south of the bridge. The project includes some minor bridge modifications and some new paving.

Residents on Columbia Avenue and East 13th Street may experience times without water service. These disruptions will be kept to a minimum and notification will be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance of planned disruptions, according to the city.

For questions, contact Whitefish Public Works Director Craig Workman at 863-2455.