Old Monarch Bridge Being Replaced And Salvaged

A historic bridge north of Sheridan is being replaced, but some of the original structure will remain nearby.

WYDOT is currently replacing the old Monarch Bridge over the Tongue River, which is just southwest of the I-90/Acme Road exit.

The cost of the project is about $2.7 million and is expected to be completed sometime this year.

Jacob Williamson, who is a WYDOT Senior Survery Specialist, says the bridge is more than 100 years old, and had some history back in its early days.

“So this bridge was put in place to access the old city of Monarch and the trestle on the side was actually for the mine cars to come across. It’s the last long spanning bridge of its era and the concrete abutments are starting to erode. So we are going to remove the existing bridge. We’re installing a temporary detour as of right now.”

Williamson adds the old mine and the city of Monarch no longer exist.

WYDOT says it will work with the Sheridan Community Land Trust and the Padlock Ranch to preserve the bridge structure, which will remain on display nearby with an Interpretive Historical Marker for 10 years.