EBS STAFF
This story was updated at 4:10 p.m. with information about the bridge-related highway closure.
Early this morning, April 12, an accident involving a semi-truck resulted in a fatality and temporary closure of U.S. Highway 191 between Big Sky and West Yellowstone. As of 4 p.m. on Friday, the highway remains closed between West Yellowstone and Big Sky due to bridge damage.
The accident occurred about 15 miles south of Big Sky near mile marker 33 or 34, near Taylor Fork Road and the Covered Wagon and Elkhorn ranches—Montana Department of Transportation reported a “full blockage of roadway” at mile marker 33, and a Facebook post from Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office reported the closure at mile marker 34.
“The semi truck caught on fire on the roadway and the semi trailer is in the river. This closure is expected to continue for a few hours. If you are traveling to West Yellowstone, you will need to drive through Ennis,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote this morning.
As of 4 p.m., the highway remained closed, according to MDT’s alerts, closures and incidents page. An update revealed that the highway is closed from mile marker 8.4 (the junction of highways 191 and 287 near West Yellowstone) and mile 45.5 (Beaver Creek in Big Sky).
“This incident has resulted in the closure of the bridge over the Gallatin River. The bridge is closed to through traffic until further notice. Travelers may use U.S. Highway 287 as an alternate route,” MDT’s page stated.
