Koocanusa Bridge - Eureka, MT - Official Local Tourism Attractions on Waymarking.com

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Koocanusa Bridge - Eureka, MT

in Official Local Tourism Attractions

Posted by:  T0SHEA

11U E 627531 N 5409341

Montana's highest, longest and, in 1972, at least, Most Beautiful Long Span Bridge, sees little traffic as it serves only a small Amish community and a mountain road to Yaak, MT.

The Koocanusa Bridge crosses Lake Koocanusa about 7.5 miles south on Highway 37 from the little Hamlet of Rexford and about 13 miles southwest of Eureka, MT. It is the longest and highest bridge in Montana, with a length of 2437 feet and standing 270 feet (depending on water levels) above the lake. The bridge consists of six truss spans resting on five piers in the lake and footings in bedrock on each end. Crossing the bridge affords great views of both the lake and the surrounding countryside. There is a parking area just south of the bridge on the east side where one may view the bridge and the lake.

The lake, incidentally, is manmade, having been created by the construction of Libby dam 37 miles south beside Highway 37. The dam was dedicated on August 24, 1975. Though it is a producer of hydroelectric power, its major purpose is to control the Kootenay River and prevent flooding downstream. Lake Koocanusa was named for the treaty formed among the Kootenai Indians and the Canadian and USA governments.

Both the Libby Dam and the Lake Koocanusa Bridge were built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers beginning in 1971. The bridge is a design of Morrison-Maierle, Inc. and was refurbished somewhat in 1983. In 1972 the bridge was given a Most Beautiful Bridge award by the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Three Pacific Northwest bridges recently were named among the nation's "21 most beautiful steel bridges opened in 1971" by the American Institute of Steel Construction. Leslie H. Gillette, institute representative, said the bridges were selected from 133 entries in the institute's 44th annual competition. The Koocanusa Lake Bridge near 1 Libby, Mont., won the institute's award in the long span category, while the Dent Bridge in the Dworshak project in Clearwater, Idaho, won an award of merit in the long span division. The Hoquiam River Bridge, Hoquiam, Wash., won an award of merit in the movable span division.
From the Tri-City Herald, Pasco, WA - July 19, 1972