Superintendent Arntzen Offers Update on Yellowstone Bridge Collapse

• Brian O'Leary
• July 14 2023

BILLINGS – As a Commissioner for the Land Board, Superintendent Arntzen has been closely monitoring the clean up efforts after a bridge collapse on June 24, 2023, caused a train carrying asphalt and sulfur to fall into the Yellowstone River near Columbus, Montana. The riverbed is part of the 5.2 million surface acres and 6.2 million mineral acres managed by the Land Board.

“As a lifelong resident of Yellowstone County, my family and I have spent countless hours enjoying the Yellowstone River,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “As a Land Board Commissioner, it is my honor to ensure that all of our wonderful state trust lands are properly managed. I applaud the work that Montana Rail Link and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation have done to quickly manage this disaster.”

To date, Montana Rail Link and the  Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). have:

• Removed all railcars from the Yellowstone River
• Removed most of the damaged bridge
• Removed approximately 23,000 pounds of asphalt from the shoreline
• Extended inspections downriver to capture all materials from the water

The Environmental Protection Agency has set up a website with daily updates. The next Land Board meeting will be held on July 17, 2023, at 9:00 AM. During the meeting, Superintendent Arntzen will ask for a formal update from the DNRC.