Discover the New Look of Missoula’s Beartracks Bridge

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Friday marked the debut of the colorful new atmosphere transforming the once dark and dreary ‘underbridge’ area of the Beartracks Bridge.

I spoke with Amber Gagen, Program Director of the Downtown Missoula Partnership on Thursday about the project.

A Colorful and Welcome Change to the Beartracks 'Underbridge'

“Two years ago, we decided it was time that that space take a turn and not become just a dark, dreary place, but a colorful, vibrant place that connects Caras Park to East Caras Park and Bess Reed Park and all of the beautiful things that are right around that river,” began Gagen. “So we converted that dreary parking lot into a colorful and vibrant play space.”

Gagen provided details of the remodeling project.

Ann Karp with Sideways Gaze did the Colorful Artwork

“We've worked on doing the asphalt,” she said.  “We've colored all of that in with bright, beautiful patterns by Ann Karp of Sideways Gaze. She's also done all of the pillar work. So the pillars that were once kind of a graffiti magnet have become a beautiful piece of art as well. We've added in some cornhole boards, some table tennis, and then we've also added in picnic tables and a basketball hoop.”

Gagen said the new underbridge atmosphere is a collaboration between several agencies.

The First Part of the Underbridge Project is Nearly Complete

“I'm the program director and the project manager for it, but we work in partnership with (Missoula) Parks and Recreation, so we co-manage the space,” she said. “So once it's all completed, they'll do all the maintenance for that.”

Gagen said the first part of the ongoing project is nearly complete, but much more needs to be done.

“It's an ongoing project,” she said. “The main financial sponsor for that is the Missoula Downtown Foundation. We have been fundraising for that for the past two years, and it's not completed yet. We still have quite a ways to go with our other two bays to be completed, so it's still a work-in-project for that.”

Gagen said the public is encouraged to visit the Beartracks Underbridge Playspace area and see the colorful transformation.