The Montana Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on a proposal to complete storm drainage repairs by replacing an existing storm drain with about 130 feet of new storm drain pipe next to North River Road.

The project begins at the intersection with 10th Street North and extends east along the north side of North River Road.

North River Road in that area has been closed since September due to the failed storm drain.

Portion of River’s Edge Trail reopens, North River Road remains closed

Proposed work includes excavating to remove and abandon the existing drainpipe and installing a new storm drainpipe. The purpose of the project is to restore storm water drainage through the project area, according to MDT.

Construction is tentatively planned for 2025 depending on completion of design and availability of funds.

James Combs, the Great Falls district preconstruction engineer for MDT, said that the agency was using state funds for the project.

Combs told The Electric that the project intent is to remove the culvert across North River Road and fill and abandon the culvert south of the roadway towards the outfall.

Construction activity shouldn’t affect the River’s Edge Trail, Combs said, other than whatever access the contractor needs to place a bulkhead at the outfall.

North River Road remains closed, River’s Edge Trail to reopen next week

Combs said MDT has assumed the work of abandoning the failed storm drain as the collective storm drain system manages stormwater runoff primarily for the road system is maintained by MDT.

Right-of-way acquisition or temporary construction permits are not anticipated. Relocation of utilities may be necessary. Landowners may be contacted prior to construction regarding temporary permits.

Comments may be submitted online here or in writing to MDT, Great Falls office, P.O.Box 1359, Great Falls, MT 59403-1359. Note that comments are for project UPN 10612000, or contact Combs at 406-454-5900.

The portion of the River’s Edge Trail that closed in late September reopened to pedestrian traffic in November after temporary repairs to a storm drain break were completed.

Portion of North River Road closed indefinitely

In late September, Cascade County public works alerted the public to the road closure.

The city issued a release a week later regarding the trail closure, which had been confirmed to The Electric by city staff days prior.

In late October, The Electric followed up with city, county and MDT officials about the closure.

On Oct. 29, Jim Wingerter, Great Falls district administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation, told The Electric that his office was researching documents and agreements to determine ownership and responsibility for the storm drain.

The road and trail were closed Sept. 23 due to sinkholes near North River Road, one between the Missouri River and the River’s Edge Trail just east of the old 9th Street bridge, the other behind the curb radius at the intersection of North River Road and 10th Street Northeast, County Public Works Director Les Payne told The Electric in October.

MDT is taking the lead to expedite materials and repairs, Wingerter said in the fall, and the failed storm drain impacts MDT, the City of Great Falls and Cascade County.

The storm drain pipe is located about 8 to 10 feet below the ground surface and has been corroding for a long period of time, degrading the pipe structure, causing storm water runoff to erode the surrounding soils, Wingerter told The Electric.

City approves next phase of river bank stabilization project

The erosion created a void, causing the two sinkholes, Wingerter said, and there was no indication of the drain pipe failure or the voids until the sinkholes appeared and were noticed by city staff on Sept. 23.

There’s been no damage to the road or trail at this point and both were closed as soon as the sinkholes were discovered for safety reasons.

The void under the River’s Edge Trail was filled, Wingerter said in the fall.