Glendive Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture

Visitor Info
  Activities & Attractions
  Bell Street Bridge
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Lewis & Clark Trail
Makoshika Dinosaur Museum
Makoshika Park
Montana Dinosaur Trail

a pedestrian and bicycle trail over the Yellowstone River...

bridging the past and the future in Glendive.

About the bridge....

It is constructed of six steel and concrete spans, each 219 feet long, with 40 feet of approach on each end. The floor is 20 feet wide and offers 18 feet inside from curb to curb. The piers extend 30 feet below the surface of the river down through sandstone formations into shale.

The total cost of completion was $305,000 -- half paid by the federal government and half paid by Dawson County.

Local newspaper articles chart the early progress...

• August 10, 1923: "Voters overwhelmingly approve construction of a modern steel bridge in a special election."
• January 24, 1924: "Congressman Scott Levitt presents bill to Congress to allow Yellowstone bridge to be constructed."
• February 7, 1924: "Levitt's bill passes Congress."
• February 11, 1924: "The bill is signed by President Calvin Coolidge."
• June 12, 1924: "The construction contract is awarded to Bloomer McGuire and Blakeslee of Great Falls for $273,939."
• August 10, 1924: "Construction is started."
• November 14, 1925: "Thus the opening of the longest, strongest and most securely built bridge over the historic Yellowstone River passed into history on Saturday."

Be our guest...

take the walk that has served the founders of Dawson County and know the beauty of the Yellowstone as they saw it from the Bell Street Bridge river crossing.

Travelers are invited to walk the 1,300 foot-long steel truss structure and enjoy the wildlife that can be seen along the banks of the Yellowstone River.

The days of motor traffic ended on Bell Street Bridge in 1992. However, its vital role as a pedestrian crossing continues to serve the citizens of Dawson County and visitors as they travel between the business and residential community of West Glendive and the City of Glendive on opposite sides of the Yellowstone River.