There is no set construction date yet, but engineers from the Montana Department of Transportation have decided to proceed with replacing a key bridge over the Bitterroot River.

This will cause significant traffic disruption for residents of Corvallis and the surrounding area. However, it will also mean that the aging bridge west of the city will be safer and more reliable.

And now MDT is inviting people to give their first comments on the replacement.

The Woodside Bridge is a busy

The Woodside Crossing Bridge is an important connection for residents of the vast Corvallis area on the east side of the Bitterroot Valley to the west side of the valley and Highway 93. Thousands of cars depend on this crossing, the only way to get from the north side of Hamilton to Victor across the river.

However, the bridge is showing its age and safety concerns are increasing. While some changes have been made in recent years, such as lower speed limits, better signage and maintenance, engineers say the span is not large enough to accommodate growth.

Added to this is the problem that the bridge is located on a bend in the river and is therefore exposed to flooding. There is also the problem that people use the bridge to jump into the river during the summer.

READ MORE: Will you miss the trains in Bitterroot?

Start again

This week, MDT announced that it had decided to completely replace the bridge, which is located on Secondary Highway 373 between Catherine Lane and US 93.

The proposed project calls for the complete replacement of the bridge with a new, wider bridge that would also include a shared path with better protection for bicycles and pedestrians, new pavement markings and signage, and improved guardrails.

No fixed date for construction

Construction of the new bridge is still a long way off and is expected to be outside the state's 5-year planning window, but MDT says construction could begin sooner if plans are complete and money is available to pay for the right-of-way and utilities.

You can now submit your first comments on the project on the MDT website.