Big Sky Rock to store bridge on Quarry land as BSCO pursues location for pedestrian use
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
One of the great local disappointments of 2026 is the replacement of the historic Markley “Green” Bridge over the Gallatin River to the Deer Creek trailhead. But the summertime staple isn’t heading to the junkyard.
At the March 11 Resort Tax board meeting, the Big Sky Community Organization announced its goal to repurpose the bridge elsewhere in the Big Sky community for pedestrian and bike use. CEO Madeleine Feher thanked Battle Ridge Builders, the contractor handling bridge removal, for helping preserve and transport the retired Carnegie Steel structure. She also thanked the Gallatin River Task Force for getting BSCO in touch with the U.S. Forest Service to propose the idea.
“They have to move it no matter what, so we are benefitting from the fact that that transport needed to happen one way or another,” Feher said. “… It’s working out in everybody’s favor to save this bridge.”
The bridge is slated to be removed in early April and will remain intact in one piece. The only immediate challenge was finding a place to store it for a year or two until BSCO and its local partners find a suitable location to reinstall it. After announcing that need at the BSRAD meeting, BSCO received an outpouring of supportive offers.
Big Sky Rock, the developer behind the Quarry subdivision in the Gallatin Canyon, will store the bridge on some of its vacant land. Partner Scott Altman said it was a no-brainer.
“We’re just like—that’s an icon, we would be happy to be a part of anything to help keep that in the community,” Altman told EBS. “… No matter where it is [repurposed], we fully support it. We’ve offered them a place to keep it for as long as it takes.”
BSCO has a few potential locations in mind, and Feher expects the bridge will be moved to a site that would serve the community by improving walking and biking connectivity in an area that currently lacks a river crossing.
Battle Ridge Builders is covering the cost of transportation, and Big Sky Rock won’t charge for storage. When a final location is confirmed, BSCO and any other involved entities will need to cover the cost of installing the bridge.
Feher said BSCO felt an important responsibility to preserve the bridge, as part of BSCO’s commitment to building for the future while honoring what has shaped Big Sky. The bridge is a classic landmark in the Gallatin Canyon often used for jumping into the river. She’s proud the Green Bridge will remain a part of the Big Sky community’s story.
“The Green Bridge holds a special place in the history of Big Sky,” Feher said. “It’s more than a structure. It’s a shared experience across generations.”
As for the replacement bridge at Deer Creek, officials say it will no longer be green—that chapter is over. The new bridge is expected to open in early July.
“We have already asked the question, ‘Can it be green?’” said Resort Tax board member Sarah Blechta. “The answer is no. It will be a rusty metal.”
