Hungry Horse news., 1954-08-20
No Bndqe at PoIebridge

This section of the Flathead has bridge prob
lens There is the third span out at the Blanken-
ship bridge above Coram since July 6, and the PoIe
bridge crossing 80 miles up the Flatheaos Norlh
Fork closed again since Aug. g.
Petitions are being circulated for an improV-
ed crossing in the Coram vicinity plus repair OF
the Blankenship span. Providing suitable orldge
near Coram is Flathead county responsibility.
When it comes to Polebridge citizens OF the
FIathead should get together, and pressure the leu
eral government into some action
Glaciers river situations are that the Mloole
Fork is entirely outside the park, but the boundary
on the North Fork is in midstream, so the crossing
at Polebridge has been half county and haH PARK
responsibility The county's half has about fallen.
Plan had been to take salvaged bridges from
Wheeler Sullivan and Graves creeks IN area now
flooded by Hungry Horse reservoir, and lmproVlse
new bridge at Polebridge. The county was sue
cessful bidder for the three structures at
of Reclamation surplus sale spending So'zoO'
Then the state highway department bridge sec
+ion was contacted and after study produced an
estimate of $4,000 to erect these old structures INTO
a new sngle-lane bridge.
The park seems prepared to pay half the bill,
The county cannot legally spend more tha 910,uoo @
without bond issue. At times it seems that TINS
legal provision is stretched but there appears 10
be no willingness on the part of the commissioners
in this case.
Meanwhile the commissioners have written the
National Forest Service to see II they "oulo help.
of Flathead National Forest. Answer from Reglonal
Forester P. D. Hanson at Missoula was pollIe
"not our responsibility"
Our own thought is that the federal govern
nent is currently spending $414790 for improving
1883 miles of the road from Babb to Many Glacier
with about half the road in the park and hall out
side Federal officials didn't ask Glacier county 10
build half that road.
We think the federal government should pe
completely responsible for access bridges INTO Gla-
cier National Park.
There are several improved hard-surtaced ac-
cess roads into Glaciers mountain lakes on the east
side On the west there is Sun highway at west
Glacier and then about so miles of the Flatheao
rivers North Fork to the Canadian line without
bridge. In addition the parks North Fork road is
dusty, winding and inadequate 1t would make
good wagon road
Furthermore we dislike the idea Of old sur
plus bridges from Hungry Horse reservoir oecom-
ing the crossing at Polebridge.
We like the name "Polebridge." The NauonaI
Park Service is dedicated in. part to preserve the
mast We'd like to see new pole bridge at Pole
bridge and not salvage from the hungry HORSE
reservoir.
We don't see that building Glacier View Dam
has ANYTHING to do with the federal governments
hestancy to improve the parks North Fork road, or
become alert to the need for good bridge at Pole
bridge The government isn't holding off because
Polebridge will be under rs feet of water
The situation is simply that public pressure is
needed Should Flathead county bond itself to help
build bridge into the park at Polebrldge or snouo
the federal government erect suitable crossing at
the spot, and pay all the cost. MN