The Meaning of Community: Reflections from the Bridge Street-Bigfork Project
- hello59607
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
By Sloane Stinson
Bridge Street-Bigfork Project Communication Manager
A community isn’t just a place on a map—it’s a living, breathing force, made up of people, places, and moments that shape who we are and how we connect. Growing up in a small, rural town in northern Ontario, I’ve always believed in the power of community, but I came to understand it in a whole new way through my experience working on the Bridge Street-Bigfork project with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).
Replacing a bridge may seem like a straightforward infrastructure project. But in Bigfork, it became a lens through which we all—engineers, project managers, environmentalists, construction workers, business owners, longtime residents, newcomers—saw the meaning of community with fresh eyes.
A Shared Place, a Shared History
The historic Bridge Street Bridge wasn’t just a way to cross the Swan River. It was a fixture in Bigfork’s identity—a backdrop to family walks, whitewater festivals, summertime jumps into the river (a Bigfork rite of passage), Fourth of July parades, daily commutes, and holiday drives to admire the bridge all decked out with Christmas decorations. Early in the public involvement process, as MDT and Flathead County explored options for replacing the aging structure, the community’s voice came through loud and clear: the bridge carried more than traffic—it carried a shared identity.
Residents spoke with passion and urgency when asked for their views on replacing the bridge. They described the bridge as “iconic,” “irreplaceable,” and “part of Bigfork’s soul.” While safety was a shared concern, so was a deep desire to preserve the character that made the original bridge feel like home.
That feedback shaped everything.
MDT and Flathead County listened and made the conscious decision to design a new bridge that reflected the spirit of the old one—a similar, steel truss single-lane structure that maintained the charm and historic aesthetic of its predecessor. It was a decision rooted in respect for the community’s history, values, and voice.
The Hard Part: Saying Goodbye
In January 2024, the historic bridge was permanently closed due to safety concerns. MDT knew there was no other choice. But that didn’t make it easy.
Community also means facing difficult change together. The closure wasn’t just the loss of a structure; it felt, for many, like the end of an era, like saying goodbye to an old friend. My role shifted during that time—from project communicator to listener, empathizer, and source of comfort.
That’s what meaningful public involvement looks like: not just keeping people informed but walking with them through the emotions and the disruption. It means answering questions with empathy and showing up, again and again. There was a lot of anger, frustration, and tears.
MDT and the County responded to the outpouring of emotion and urgent need to regain a secondary point of access to Bigfork’s vibrant downtown area, with a determination to expedite the complex design and pre-construction phases of the bridge’s replacement. A process complicated by challenging utility relocations, right-of-way coordination, environmental clearances, and bridge engineering.
It took a dedicated team, a lot of hard work, long days, and a little bit of luck. In just less than a year, the team was ready to break ground.
Honoring What Was, Together
Before construction began and the old bridge was dismantled, we gathered on November 21, 2024, for a community open house. The event was part informational meeting, part storytelling circle, part celebration. We honored the historic bridge with memories, photographs, and community cheer.
The Future Rising
In December 2025, Battle Ridge Builders got to work bringing the community’s vision to life. On April 1, 2025, the new steel truss was lifted into place. It was a cold, gray day, but many in the community still came out to witness the event and take photos and video of history in the making.
A Celebration of Renewal
Then, on June 24, 2025, the community came together once more—this time to celebrate. The new bridge opened with a joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony, and while it was built to today’s standards, it felt like something familiar.
There were speeches, music, and a parade across the new bridge, but the true celebration came in the form of smiles, nods, and words of approval from longtime residents who had helped shape the outcome and ensure it was done right.
It’s, Still, Not Just a Bridge…
Being a part of this project and experiencing the ups, the downs, and the celebrations reminded me that community is built on three essential things:
Shared experience—the things we go through together, whether joyful or difficult.
Shared places—the landmarks that anchor us, give us belonging, and shape our memories.
Shared pride—the sense that we, together, are stewards of something meaningful.
Bigfork’s voice influenced every step of this project. It was loud, clear, and rooted in care. And when the bridge opened, that same voice echoed in celebration.
We didn’t just build a new bridge. We preserved a sense of place, honored a collective memory, and strengthened the connection between people and where they live. That’s what community really means.
