The Natural Pier Bridge was inspected last year by the State of Montana. They sent us a letter a few months ago that they were putting a 5-5on weight limit on the bridge and that it was non-negotiable to raise it from that number. Suddenly our one lane bridge went from a standard highway rating of 40 tons down to only 5-tons. This will greatly impact larger vehicles since the average passenger car weighs just under 2 tons.
Mineral County has been quickly working to remedy the situation so that fire trucks, Ambulance service, and propane trucks can still access residents living in the area of Plateau Road and Albert Estates subdivision. We are getting temporary road easements in place for large and heavy vehicular traffic to use the old ‘Panther Pass Road which runs east from Natural pier to Petty creek road. Once we get the permits from the forest service, and the other private landowners: then limited travel may be allowed for truck traffic, but on a scheduled and prior authorization basis. This is to prevent traffic from meeting on the narrow primitive road and not being able to pass by each other. So please! Do NOT use this road for passenger vehicle driving or without advanced prior authorization from the Mineral County Road Foreman.
Also: we need to respect the privacy of the local families who will be having the trucks pass through their front yard. Any abuse of the limited access road will cause them regret for working and cooperating with the County.
So again: all heavy trucks needing to use Panther pass must call ahead and arrange with Mineral County Road Foreman, Jason McLees at -406-382-0193
The Panther pass road is very rugged, narrow, and primitive. We know that we can not safely maintain it in the winter time trying to plow snow for safe travel. Therefore, the Commissioners are lobbying very hard with the State to help us quickly find funding to get the bridge repaired before the end of the year when snow starts to fall.
The good news is , we have received positive feedback from them and have found two grants that we can access to expedite the funding and get us on the path to finding a contractor for the job.
Please know that we are trying to get this problem fixed as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance- Commissioner Roman Zylawy
Mineral County MT
Est. 1914
