HUNGRY HORSE, Mont. - Modernization of the gantry crane on top of Hungry Horse Dam is almost complete and Reclamation will begin the final testing on April 27, 2023. A full-day road closure is needed to conduct the final testing of the new crane. The public will experience traffic flow interruptions on Hungry Horse Dam Road over the dam during testing. Flaggers or traffic signals will be in place at the intersection of U.S. Route 2 and NF 895 to alert motorists to expect traffic delays across the dam. Please allow for more time when making travel plans. Reclamation is working with BCI Construction USA, Inc. to minimize traffic impacts. Hungry Horse Dam is located off Highway 2 in Hungry Horse.
The 70-year-old crane reached the intended service life and BCI Construction conducted the demolition in November 2022. Installation began in late March 2023 using Bonneville Power Administration capital funding. The gantry crane is used to conduct maintenance on the dam. The installation of the new crane allows Reclamation to continue to provide electrical power generation for future years.
The gantry crane replacement is a component of the November 2018 Hungry Horse Power Plant Modernization and Overhaul project. For more information about the project, visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/montana/hungryhorse/index.html.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation