LIVINGSTON - It's the hardest seat to get in town as hundreds of people watch as the 9th Street Island Bridge holds on by threads in Livingston.
"It's been a long time i think '97 was the last time we had a flood," said a Livingston resident. And more than ten years later flood waters are once again reeking havoc on the 9th Street Island Bridge. But Livingston native Cary Burg says the bridge is known for this type of drama. He says what makes it unique this time however is the bridge is actually breaking. "The bridge was starting to collapse as you see its dipped which hasn't happened for a long time even the last flood I don't think it did that. It hasn't done that since a cement truck broke the other end twenty years ago," said Berg.
Berg says the bridge has also seen its fair share of faces lifts over the years. He says the last one is memorable because of the reaction from officials. "Last time it almost broke they said oh my god they should restrict traffic, we should stop people from living there, and they went out and put a patch on it and got it looking pretty good," said Berg.
And the Livingston Native says just like last time he's holding out hope that a quick patch is all the bridge needs. "As long as the river is on its way down who knows. You know it could be fine again," said Berg.
Montana Department of Transportation officials say the bridge was originally constructed back in 1964.