Yellowstone River Bridge

Project Name: WY NPS YELL 12(2) – Yellowstone River Bridge

Company: HK Contractors, Inc.

Location: Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park. NE Entrance Road and Grand Loop Road

Owner: National Park Service/Federal Highway Administration

General Contractor: HK Contractors, Inc.

When: Spring 2023 – Fall 2026

Subcontractor(s)/other key contractor(s): Ralph L. Wadsworth (Bridge Subcontractor), Guinett Masonry (Masonry), Poteet (Traffic Control), Valley Fence (Roadside features, log curbs, kiosk, timber structures), GSI (Soil Nail Walls, Sheet Piles), CMG (Quality Control Manager), Ardurra (Survey), HighMark Traffic Services (Pavement Markings), Porter W. Yett (Asphalt Pavement Milling), Rocky Mountain Reclamation (Seeding, Plantings)

Materials and Quantities Used: 30,000 CUYD Roadway Excavation, 27,067 CUYD Restoration Grading, 700 CUYD Subexcavation, 4,500 CUYD Unclassified Borrow, 14,000 CUYD Select Borrow, 5,100 CUYD Structural Backfill, 22,000 SQYD Roadway Obliteration, 7,196 CUYD Recycled Aggregate Base, 9,200 TON Asphalt Concrete Pavement, 1,312 CUYD Structural Concrete Footings, 2,650 Structural Concrete Superstructure, 487 CUYD Structural Concrete Pier Caps, 673 CUYD Precast Structural Concrete Piers, 382,567 LB Reinforcing Steel, 704,002 LB Epoxy Coated Reinforcing Steel, 5,370,000 LB Structural Steel Girders, 787 LNFT 48-IN Diameter Drilled Shaft, 200 LNFT 72-IN Diameter Drilled Shaft, Underdrain and Bridge Drainage, Soil Nail Walls, Post Tensioning System, Cast-In-Place Fish Barrier, and New Equestrian Bridge.

Project Description: The Yellowstone River Bridge project aims to enhance safety, support ecological restoration, and preserve the natural and scenic integrity of one of America’s most iconic national parks.

Located at the intersection of the Northeast Entrance Road and Grand Loop Road near Tower Junction, a new bridge and road section will replace 60-year-old infrastructure. The project will enhance the safety and experience of park visitors by providing concrete decking, sidewalks, and safety railings to enjoy the natural scenery found at Yellowstone National Park.

The project will also aid in restoring the natural habitats and Lost Creek’s channel to its original state of being before the original bridge and roadway were implemented 60-years ago.

HK Contractor crews (HK) have worked diligently to coordinate with the National Parks Service and the Federal Highway Administration to meet the challenges of working in a remote area that is at least fours hours away from the nearest supply source for building materials and is located within a major migration corridor for animals ranging from bison, bears, elk, deer, and many other species.

Once completed, the new bridge will measure 1,285 feet long and will sit 175 feet above the Yellowstone River, making this the longest bridge in the state of Wyoming and the largest man-made structure in Yellowstone National Park.

HK has done an incredible job with their attention to detail, teamwork, and coordination with the National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration meet safety standards, protected natural resources, and delivered critical infrastructure in one of the most iconic national parks.