Giant Springs Road will be closed to through traffic beginning July 24 for a riverbank stabilization project.

The road will be closed starting at the Giant Springs fish hatchery at 4801 Giant Springs Road and continue east for 0.85 miles along the river to Rainbow Falls.

Access to the Rainbow scenic overlook and South Shore trailhead can be accessed from River Drive North and 5nd Street North, then east on 18th Avenue North, then north on Giant Springs Road.

Work is expected to run July 24-26.

Drivers are asked to be aware of work signs, detours and road closures.

County Commissioners approved the project contract during their July 9 meeting to Shumaker Trucking and Excavation.

County approves contract for Giant Springs Road repairs

There are holes along the northside of Giant Springs Road.

As the river rises and water hits the bank, it continues to deteriorate and wash away existing materials, according to county public works.

Giant Springs Road construction begins March 23 [2022]

“If the issue is not resolved asap, then the waters and holes will begin to undercut the asphalt road, which will then cause the road to fail and fall into the river,” according to county public works.

The county received estimates from M&D Construction for $275 per linear feet and Shumaker for $72 per lineal feet plus $1,500 for mobilization/demobilization.

The footage will be decided during repairs, which will include placement of large riprap, sandstone rock, then capped with fabric and gravel, according to public works.

Les Payne, county public works director, said that they haven’t done a repair in the area and expects it to last a lifetime.

For questions, contact county public works at 406-454-6920.

Jenn Rowell

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