New Yellowstone River Bridge approved

A new Yellowstone River Bridge is on tap for 2022, funding permitting, after the National Park Service Regional Director for Regions 6, 7, 8, Mike Reynolds, signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for an environmental assessment (EA) on the project.

The new bridge, located on the Northeast Entrance Road near Tower Junction, would replace the current Yellowstone River Bridge in Yellowstone National Park, shown above.

The park considered three alternatives in its EA and selected alternative B for implementation, as two other alternatives — leaving the bridge as it is and using an alternative location — were rejected. A replacement bridge will be constructed on a new alignment about 500 feet south of the existing bridge location. Approximately one mile of new road will be constructed to line up with the replacement bridge location. Parking, pullouts, and the Yellowstone River Picnic Area, located along this road segment, will also be redesigned and reconstructed to accommodate increased visitor use.

Automobile traffic will use the existing bridge while the new bridge is under construction. Traffic delays will be minimal under this plan. Once complete, the existing road segment and bridge will be removed, and the area rehabilitated.

Depending upon funding, roadwork could begin as early as spring 2022 and last for three consecutive years.

RELATED: New: Yellowstone River Bridge Replacement Environmental Assessments; Comments Sought on Yellowstone River Bridge Replacement