According to the Bureau of Transportation’s 2023 data, the United States has 618,253 bridges. These bridges are vital components of municipal and national infrastructure, with some moving vehicles or trains and others accommodating foot traffic.
Texas has the most bridges in the nation, with 55,701 spanning the state. Montana has only a fraction of that number, with 5,218 bridges traversing the northern state. Montana ranked 47th on a list of states based on the number of bridges per 100 miles of road, with an average of 7.2 bridges per 100 miles. This represents around half of the national average of 14.7 bridges per 100 miles.
It comes as no surprise that Montana does not take pride in the magnitude of its bridges. In truth, information on bridge heights in Montana is limited, and we had to contact local authorities across the state to obtain data. Our analysis revealed that only a few bridges are 100 feet or higher in height, with only one exceeding 200 feet.
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While the state’s highest bridges cannot compete with those around the country, few provide breathtaking views and history. We developed a list of Montana’s highest bridges. Let’s have a look at them, but keep in mind that we only included bridges for which we could confirm the height. There are several other notable bridges around Montana, some of which may deserve to be included on this list.
1. Historic High Bridge
- Location: Thompson Falls, Montana.
- Height: 80 ft.
- Length: 588 feet
- Design: Parker-Pratt deck truss bridge.
The High Bridge, commonly known as the Thompson Falls High Bridge, is a significant element of Montana bridge history. This bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and construction was completed in 1911. It shuttered for a few years in the 1980s before reopening in 2010 following major restoration. Pedestrians can now cross this historic bridge to enjoy the vistas while commemorating Montana’s heritage dating back over a century.
2. Hungry Horse Bridge
- Location: Hungry Horse, Montana.
- Height: fifty feet.
- Length: 840 feet
- Design: Steel built-up girder
The structural engineers describe the Hungry Horse Bridge as a modern work of art. This steel built-up girder bridge is an important feature of the area’s roadway system, transporting thousands, if not millions, of people annually across the South Fork of the Flathead River via roadway 2.
This stunning bridge replaced the old Hungry Horse Bridge in 2021, providing safer travel with greater lanes for all traffic. The replacement is warranted; the new bridge solves a hazardous bend in the highway and is expected to save a considerable number of lives over its 75-year lifespan.
3. Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge
- Location: Highway 2 is 12 miles west of Libby and 6 miles east of Troy.
- Height: 100 ft.
- Length: 210 feet
- Design: suspension footbridge
The Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge (also known as the Kootenai Suspension Bridge) is a reconstructed Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) historical site. It was originally built to increase firefighter access in the area but was destroyed by a flood in 1948. The construction of the Libby Dam eliminated flood threats in the area, and the swinging bridge was rebuilt in the 1950s, this time with concrete towers.
It was reconstructed in 1993 and again in 2019. Today, the bridge serves both administrative and recreational purposes. Please be polite when you visit; this is a holy site for the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
4. Snowden Bridge
- Location: Just south of Snowden, Montana
- Height: 108 ft.
- length: 1,159 feet.
- Design: Vertical lift.
This high-clearance rail bridge is among the highest in the state. Snowden Bridge, built in 1913, was previously the world’s longest vertical lift bridge. The bridge has an interesting history, but the most significant aspect is the persistent belief that it is haunted by the ghost of J.C Collins, a laborer who helped build it.
5. Lake Koocanusa Bridge
- Lake Koocanusa is located 8.4 miles southwest of Rexford, Montana, just off Highway 37.
- Height: 270 feet, depending on lake water level.
- Length: 2,437 feet
- Design: Multi-truss
The Lake Koocanusa Bridge is the tallest and longest bridge in the state of Montana. It covers the whole width of Lake Koocanusa, providing easier access to the Amish settlement on the lake’s western shore. There is parking and viewing access for the bridge, as well as elevated sidewalks that allow you to walk across the lake. Unless you are visiting the Amish village, your visit to this bridge will most likely be for leisure purposes. It’s worth the detour!
Final Words
Finally, Montana’s broad landscapes support a diverse range of bridges, each with its distinct qualities. Although the state is not recognized for its high structures, it does include historical and gorgeous bridges like the Thompson Falls High Bridge and the Lake Koocanusa Bridge, which serve both utilitarian purposes and provide scenic beauty.